It appears the Arizona Cardinals will lose both of their higher-profile free agents. After defensive lineman Zach Allen agreed to a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos, cornerback Byron Murphy is nearing a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Per Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, it is a deal worth $22 million.
Murphy, the 33rd pick in the 2019 draft, was a starter all four seasons he played for the Cardinals. Primarily a slot corner for three seasons, he played mostly on the outside in 2022 and was having his best season before a back injury ended his year.
He played only nine games in 2022.
The 25-year-old cornerback replaces former Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson in Minnesota. Peterson, after two seasons with the Vikings after a decade with the Cardinals, is now headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year deal.
The loss leaves the Cardinals with major questions at cornerback. The only two currently under contract are third-year pro Marco Wilson and Christian Matthew, drafted in the sixth round last year.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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