Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings do not appear to be off to a good start in 2025. The team had a successful 2024 season, making it to the playoffs with a lot of dominance. However, it appears that their key players will not be with them in 2025. For those who missed, Sam Darnold and Byron Murphy’s contract with the team has officially expired. And things haven’t looked good for their re-signing situation. But, what exactly are they up to right now?

Major reports on both players have surfaced, and these reports do not make a good look for the Vikings. Let’s discuss each of them individually, beginning with Sam Darnold. The quarterback was a crucial element of the team in the last season, completing 361 passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. He was a true beast, which Vikings will unfortunately miss out on. Marcus Mosher, a reporter, has remarked on the situation, suggesting that Darnold is trying to leave Kevin O’Connell’s team.

The quarterback is reportedly in frequent contact with major teams, such as the Raiders, Titans, and Giants. All of these teams are in serious need of a solid quarterback, and Sam Darnold could be it for all of them. This is why the quarterback’s demand is high, prompting claims that teams can be offering him a large sum of money. Mosher has plainly signaled that Darnold will prioritize the overall team over money. Before signing, the 27-year-old will consider the entire roster, coaching staff, and contract.

Mosher stated, “The best landing spot would be with a veteran coach and a roster full of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but considering he hasn’t earned a big payday yet in the NFL, the money could ultimately dictate where he lands.” This certainly suggests that the quarterback has little to no chance of returning to the Minnesota Vikings. The HC Kevin O’Connell may be seeking a starter quarterback now that he has lost Darnold.

While the Vikings have lost a significant part of their team. It appears that their other free-agent star could still make a comeback for them. But how will that work?

Can Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings re-sign Byron Murphy?

After their contract expires, everyone anticipates the next contract to be more lucrative. And that is not an unreasonable expectation. But what if the money they expect is too much? Well, that could be the case for Byron Murphy. The Vikings’ cornerback was fantastic and a valuable member of the team in the 2024 season. And maybe he can be looking forward to coming back for them. But he does have one condition in mind. Murphy wants a significant salary increase in his contract.

Marcus Mosher has also reported Murphy’s current predicament. The reporter talked about how the CB hopes to sign a contract that will pay him at least $17-18 million annually. While this is not a record-breaking amount, it is significant. And there is no likelihood that HC Kevin O’Connell will urge his team to sign the talent at such a high salary.

Mosher’s report claimed, “Don’t expect him to earn a record-breaking deal or anything like that. Still, somewhere between $15-$17 million per season is about right for Murphy.” If these reports are accurate, Kevin O’Connell is in a difficult situation. He’s already lost a fantastic player in Sam Darnold, and he doesn’t want to lose Murphy. But the amount he is demanding can the team fulfil that? Only time will tell. Stay tuned for more updates until then.