Going into the Week 5 meeting with the New Orleans Saints, Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy was one of three players I pinpointed as needing to show up in this game. Murphy delivered.
Byron Murphy Delivered Against the Saints
The other two players I highlighted were Jauan Jennings — who once again scored a blank with no catches — and Demond Claiborne — who didn’t have a single rushing attempt. While the two offensive players continued to disappoint, Murphy certainly did not and had a good day in New Orleans.
Murphy hadn’t been having a bad season by any means but he was being overshadowed by the excellent start to 2026 by Isaiah Rodgers. Then with new free agent signing James Pierre playing well as the third CB, there was a need for Murphy to showcase why he’s the guy Minnesota is paying $18 million a year for.
The perfect way to do that? Get yourself not just one but two interceptions.
Murphy’s two picks took him to three for the season already, not only giving him the most on the team but also putting him into a group of six players that lead the league in interceptions through five weeks. That puts Murphy halfway to his career-best interception season, which came in 2024, the year he was voted to the Pro Bowl.
Byron Murphy’s Season So Far and Future Expectations
When Murphy first arrived in Minnesota back in 2023 he was seen as a slot corner who had started to play outside. Now he is very much a perimeter cornerback for the Vikings, which usually puts him up against the opposition’s best wide receivers.
At 5’11 “, Murphy is small for an outside corner but he holds his own. His coverage grade from Pro Football Focus is usually around the mid-60s. That’s a respectable number for a starting CB; Murphy’s coverage grade peaked at 72.6 in his Pro Bowl season. His grades this season are: overall at 64.4, coverage at 65.5, and run defense at 56.9.
As well as his three interceptions, Byron Murphy is an effective tackle despite his smaller stature. He has 21 tackles including a tackle for loss so far this season.
Murphy flies downhill into tackles which does cause the occasional egregious missed tackle but he does a good job at bringing down bigger receivers and backs. Murphy’s physical limitations probably mean he will never reach the elite level at cornerback but Isaiah Rodgers and James Pierre are providing the best supporting cast he’s ever had in Minnesota. The Vikings cornerback situation looks to be the best it’s been for some time.
The 28-year-old signed a three-year contract extension in 2025 which keeps him in Minnesota until the end of next season. His contract is expensive but he continues to do just enough to make it worthwhile and has a key role in what is arguably the best defense in football right now. I asked for more from him in Week 5 and that is exactly what he delivered.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
