Vikings Have Several Important Pending FA Decisions
 during the NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bynumbest.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=655,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/bynumbest.jpg”><figcaption> Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Minnesota Vikings’ immediate focus is the current season, during which they are in playoff contention. However, looking forward, the Vikings have several top pending free-agent decisions to make during the offseason.</p>
<h2>Vikings Have Several Important Pending FA Decisions</h2>
<p>In a recent article, <a href=)
Pro Football Focus named its top 10 pending free agents for each position group. The Vikings had six players named, three on offense and three on defense. The decisions don’t end there, though, as several other less high-profile names are playing key roles or depth roles this season and are also due to be out of contract.
I want to look at these players’ roles this season, how they are performing, and whether the Vikings should or should not bring each player back in 2025. I will start with the big six named by PFF as the top pending free agents.
Sam Darnold
The season is as going as well for Sam Darnold as anyone could have expected. There have been wobbles along the way, particularly the three-interception game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Vikings signed Darnold to a 1-year, $10 million contract to be the bridge QB to first-round rookie JJ McCarthy. McCarthy is the long-term plan at quarterback for the Vikings, but he has completely lost his rookie season to a knee injury.
 in action against the San Francisco 49ers during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24310818.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24310818.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24310818.jpg” alt><figcaption> Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>The plan is a little murkier than it otherwise could have been. Kevin O’Connell may want another season with a veteran quarterback who can be the starter if needed on the roster. Darnold has played his way into a bigger contract than $10 million next season. The question is how big and how far would the Vikings be willing to keep him around another year? I suspect Darnold will end up somewhere else as the starting quarterback to begin the 2025 season.</p>
<h2>Aaron Jones</h2>
<p>Aaron Jones was another veteran player brought in on a one-year deal as a short-term solution. Unlike at QB, no young playmaker is currently waiting in the wing to take over from Jones. The Vikings could and probably should select an RB relatively early in next year’s draft. Jones has played well enough to consider offering him another year if the price is right. He should easily surpass 1000 rushing yards, and his prowess as a pass catcher is essential to the Vikings’ offense.</p>
<h2>Cam Robinson</h2>
<p>The Vikings acquired Cam Robinson via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars after their starting left tackle went down with a season-ending injury. Christian Darrisaw signed a big contract this year and is already one of the best tackles in the league. With <a href=)
Brian O’Neill playing better than ever on the other side, there will be no need to retain Robinson’s services after this season.
Byron Murphy
Byron Murphy is enjoying the best season of his career with a career-high grade of 70.8 from PFF and already tying his career-high of four interceptions with six games left. Murphy may never be the elite lockdown CB the Vikings crave, but he is a versatile DB who should return next season to give the Vikings string depth at the position. He has had the knack of showing up in big moments late in games this season which saw him given the clutch tag from PFF.
Camryn Bynum
Camryn Bynum is the first of two safeties that make up the last of the six players to feature in PFF’s top 10 lists. A college who was a fourth-round draft pick and immediately converted to safety. Bynum has grown into his role in the Vikings’ defense over the last four seasons. He plays primarily as the safety but can move around the alignment, although he hasn’t done that as much this season.
 throws his gloves to a fan after the game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_21884888.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_21884888.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_21884888.jpg” alt=”Contract Extension”><figcaption> Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Bynum has an eye for the ball, with three interceptions and four pass deflections this season. It would be a surprise if the Vikings didn’t extend his stay in Minnesota.</p>
<h2>Harrison Smith</h2>
<p>Harrison Smith will turn 36 in February, and discussing whether he will continue to play has become an annual event. Smith continues to be an important part of the Vikings’ defense and has managed to steer clear of any significant injuries. How long can he go on? When the Hitman reworked his contract and took a substantial pay cut for 2024 so he could come back for his 13th season as a Viking. It felt like a move for one last run. That may be the case, but Smith still looks good enough to continue should he want to.</p>
<h2>The Other Veteran Starters</h2>
<p>Three other veteran players are starters who will also be out of contract. They are CB Stephon Gilmore, DL Jonathan Bullard, and G Dalton Risner. I am eager to bring just one of those back, and that would be Bullard. The Vikings’ run defense has improved dramatically this season, and Bullard has been a big part of that. The DL is one area I’m looking at the Vikings making a big splash in free agency or the draft, but Bullard should remain in Minnesota as part of the DL group.</p>
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