These 5 Vikings May Be Playing Final Games with the Franchise

The Minnesota Vikings are playoff-bound, with no exceptions.

These 5 Vikings May Be Playing Final Games with the Franchise

The next step is determining if Minnesota enters the dance as a Wildcard combatant or division winner.

Meanwhile, gobs of Vikings players — more than 35 — will be free agents in March, and five prominent players are scheduled to enter their final season with the club.

Players who just signed (Sam Darnold and Aaron Jones, for example) were not included. The players are listed in ascending order (No. 1 = most important Viking entering a final contract year).

5. Nick Mullens (QB)

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah extended Mullens’ contract in the 2023 offseason, and the deal turned heads because it was longer than the young executive’s go-to one-year deals. Yet, with Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy in the house, 2024 could be Mullens’ last in purple. Otherwise, Mullens could back up McCarthy indefinitely starting in 2025.

There’s also a chance that Daniel Jones took Mullens’ 2025 gig.

4. Patrick Jones II (OLB)

The Vikings suddenly have abundant outside linebacker depth, including Jones II, who made the 53-man roster last week.

And so far, without any hint of a contract extension, Jones II will play out his deal in 2024.

For now, Jones II takes most of Dallas Turner’s defensive snaps, though Turner has blossomed in the last couple of games.

3. Byron Murphy (CB)

This one may be merely in spirit. Murphy could be back in 2025. He told KSTP’s Darren Wolfson in the summer, “I gotta say, since I’ve been here since day one, I fell in love, so I don’t want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. So I’m gonna try to work my ass off to stay here for sure.”

Otherwise, Murphy signed a two-year deal last offseason, making 2024 the final season in Minnesota. All signs, though, point to his return. He’s nibbling at a Pro Bowl season, which will up his asking price for the Vikings or another team.

The 2024 version of Byron Murphy is significantly better than 2023 Byron Murphy.

2. Camryn Bynum (S)

The Vikings’ front office and Bynum had time to wrap up an extension in the summer but never finalized an agreement. The parties can still reach a deal in February or March, but it’s a little odd that they failed before his final season.

There’s a chance that Bynum’s asking price is too rich for the Vikings.

Minnesota would turn to Josh Metellus, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and perhaps a rookie or free agent to be named later at safety if Bynum bolts.

1. Harrison Smith (S)

Smith is 35 years old, and based on his hard-hitting playing style, it’s a gridiron miracle that he’s still playing at a relatively high level.

Nonetheless, any new season could be his last. His actions have proved he wishes to remain a Viking for life. So, unlike others on this list, Smith’s “final season” chatter isn’t about impending free agency; it’s about retirement. The Pioneer Press claimed in July that this year is Smith’s last.

It’s worth noting that Smith has played quite well this season, and his performance doesn’t seem like a guy nearing retirement. He still has the juice.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.