Sources: Vikings CB Murphy back on $66M deal

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. is returning on a three-year, $66 million deal, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Murphy got a second opportunity at the free agency market at age 27 for a number of factors. The Arizona Cardinals made him a second-round draft pick in 2019 three months after his 21st birthday and his rookie contract expired when he was 25.

He opted for a relatively short-term deal with the Vikings during the 2023 offseason, receiving a total of $17.5 million for the next two seasons.

He opted against extending that deal last summer and went on to have a career year that included six interceptions, 81 tackles and his first Pro Bowl bid. Along the way, he provided stability for a secondary the Vikings had to rebuild in real time during training camp following the death of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson and a torn ACL for second-year cornerback Mekhi Blackmon.

Murphy is best suited to play inside as a nickel cornerback, but he has elevated his skills enough to play outside when opponents deploy only two receivers.

In 87 games over six seasons, Murphy has recorded 14 interceptions, recovered six fumbles and forced three others.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.