After an offseason that saw an impressive amount of turnover, the Vikings are starting to turn their attention to the threats to leave in the next offseason. One such player is starting safety Camryn Bynum who is about to begin the final year of his rookie contract in Minnesota. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Minnesota is working to extend the fourth-year safety.
A productive player through his first three years as a Golden Bear, Bynum’s final season at Cal was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic limiting the school’s season to only four games. Still, Bynum’s production up to that point warranted a flyer in the fourth round of the draft. After only a year, Bynum established himself as a full-time starter, setting himself up for the position he finds himself in now.
Through three years in the NFL, Bynum’s production has been consistent with his collegiate career, continuing a trend of having at least one interception every year since he graduated from high school. His versatility earned him three starts in 14 appearances as a rookie, and he delivered an interception, three passes defensed, and a sack as a result.
Once a full-time starter, Bynum established himself as a tackler, as well. In 2022 he finished the year with 81 total tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed, and two fumble recoveries. Last year saw him lead the team with 137 total tackles, record career highs in passes defensed (9) and forced fumbles (3), and reel in another two interceptions and a half sack. His efforts in 2023 saw him grade out as the league's 21st-best safety in t11he NFL, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
This offseason saw Antoine Winfield Jr. set a new mark for safeties in the NFL, earning a deal with an annual average value of $21.03M, but Bynum is nowhere near as ballyhooed as Winfield or the other top earner at the position like Derwin James ($19.13M per year) or Minkah Fitzpatrick ($18.4M. Recent deals for Xavier McKinney ($16.75M), Kyle Dugger($14.5M), Julian Love ($11M), and Jabrill Peppers ($8M) set a much more reasonable precedent for what to expect in a new deal for Bynum.
