Pro Bowl CB Set to Hit Free Agency, Fit for Steelers
Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy is slated to hit the open market and the Pittsburgh Steelers should be interested.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be active in free agency at cornerback and another talented player at the position is now slated to become a free agent.
According to Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy is poised to hit the open market on Monday.
The Vikings made a strong push to bring Murphy back, agreeing to push back the void date on his contract and giving the team up until March 11 to negotiate a contract extension. However, it seems the two sides are still too far apart with the start of free agency right around the corner.
Murphy, 27, is coming off arguably the best season of his six-year NFL career. In 2024, he had a career-high 81 tackles, six interceptions and 14 passes defensed on the way to his first Pro Bowl nod.
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound defensive back played a large role in improving the Vikings defense, displaying his versatility by playing both outside cornerback and the slot.
That alone may influence the Vikings to change their mind and do whatever it takes to bring him back before it’s too late. But if that’s not the case, the Pittsburgh Steelers should be very interested, and they likely will be.
The Steelers brought in Murphy for a pre-draft visit in 2019 and they have a track record of revisiting players that didn’t ultimately land in Pittsburgh that the team had previous interest in.
Murphy would bring to Pittsburgh exactly what he has to Minnesota the past two seasons — a versatile cornerback who can play outside and inside. It just so happens the Steelers need to address both of those positions this offseason.
If the Steelers are trying to get the most out of their money, Murphy could prove to be the perfect addition.
According to Spotrac, Murphy is expected to receive a four-year, $88.4 million contract ($22.1M per year). That shouldn’t be an issue for the Steelers, who are entering free agency in a great salary cap situation.