Keep Your Eye Out for a Cam Bynum Contract Extension with Vikings

Current Minnesota Vikings’ safety Cam Bynum was selected by former general manager Rick Spielman in the fourth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft at pick No. 125. Bynum didn’t play a whole lot in his rookie season, only logging a total of 211 snaps on defense, but on the limited snaps he did play he showed some potential.

Bynum became a full time starter in 2022 after beating out first-round draft pick Lewis Cine who’s struggled to grasp play calling. Since then, he’s continued to flourish on defense and has proven he’s a quality starter in the secondary.

Contract extension for Vikings’ Cam Bynum before season opener?

On the latest episode of Minnesota Vikings Scoops, Darren Wolfson (KSTP, SKOR North) stated that the Vikings and Bynum have mutual interest on getting a contract extension done this offseason. Wolfson specifically noted a timeline of either right before training camp, which is at the end of July, or right before the season opener against the New York Giants.

Per @DWolfsonKSTP via @SKORNorth, the #Vikings and S Cam Bynum have mutual interest in a contract extension.

Wolfson noted that it could happen right before training camp / late July or before the season opener 👀

"I did talk with Cam Bynum about a potential contract… pic.twitter.com/Shen0yfn7K

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 6, 2024

“I did talk with Cam Bynum about a potential contract extension. He paused, just reading his body language, you know, deferring to his agent… but my sense is there is mutual interest in getting an extension done, whether it’s right before training camp, late July… or perhaps, comprebal to Josh Metellus this time last year… it could be one of those situations where he signs an extension before the opener against the New York Giants. But keep an eye on Cam Bynum in a contract year. [There’s] mutual interest, the Vikings getting a Cam Bynum extension done.”

Darren Wolfson (KSTP – SKOR North)

Per Spotrac, Bynum hit some proven performance escalators in his contract and is currently due $3.1 million this season. However, Bynum is heading into the last year of his rookie contract and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this upcoming season.

Cam Bynum’s outlook with the Vikings?

It seems more than likely that the Vikings and Bynum will reach an agreement at some point in the near future regarding a contract extension. Although the safety room seems deep at this moment, this could potentially be Harrison Smith’s final season before he retires.

Meanwhile, Lewis Cine seems to be at risk of not making the roster. If that’s the case, the only other safeties are Theo Jackson, Josh Metellus and Jay Ward. It is also worth noting that Jackson will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

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Not only does the safety room project to get thinner over this next year, Bynum’s proved he is a competent starter in the secondary. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Bynum was the most improved player from 2022 to 2023. His overall grade went from 58.2 (2022) to 73.2 (2023).

#Vikings S Cam Bynum was the MOST improved player per @PFF.
🏈2022 Grade: 58.2
🏈2023 Grade: 73.2

"He played more than 1,100 snaps and ranked as the 4th highest graded safety in the NFL over the first 14 weeks before tailing off toward the end of the year."

📸: @SInow pic.twitter.com/8vLzW3NfmB

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) January 28, 2024

That’s a significant improvement in just one season. Bynum was the fourth highest graded safety in the NFL for the first 14 weeks of the season, before tailing off toward the end of the year.

Overall, it’s unclear what his contract extension would look like. He obviously won’t command Antoine Winfield Jr. money but definitely won’t be making bare minimum safety money either. In the end, it seems quite clear that Bynum and the Vikings want to get a deal done that makes sense for both sides sooner rather than later.