Vikings, Pro Bowl CB Byron Murphy Jr. agree to $66M deal
Per NFL Network, Minnesota and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract.
Murphy made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 and is now awarded with a significant pay raise after earning a total of $27 million over the first five seasons of his career.
In 17 games last season, Murphy tallied two interceptions, 14 passes defended, 81 tackles and a forced fumble. He allowed opposing quarterbacks a 76.7 passer rating when targeting him, a career-best mark.
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New York Times
11 minutes ago
- New York Times
Anthony Edwards has helped turn the Minnesota Timberwolves into must-see TV
The Ant Effect comes in many forms. It starts on the court, where a franchise once known for futility has made the playoffs four seasons in a row and advanced to the Western Conference finals in each of the past two. It extends to the last rows of the upper deck in Target Center, which have been filled most every night the last few seasons, with plenty of No. 5 jerseys and shirseys on the backs of Minnesota Timberwolves fans sitting in those seats. Advertisement The latest indicator of Anthony Edwards' impact on the franchise came Wednesday, when the NBA unveiled the schedule for the upcoming season. The Timberwolves are set to be featured on national television 28 times. Only the world champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the flagship franchises of the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks have more nights on the national stage. All four have 34 national games. Edwards has taken big steps in each of his first five seasons, culminating last year with averages of 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and an NBA-leading 320 3-pointers made. He was named to the All-NBA second team, launched a signature shoe with Adidas that was one of the best sellers on the market, and has a dynamic game and personality that have made him a main attraction on social media and the talk shows that drive discussion about the league. And he just turned 24. As the league and its television partners look for the next star to promote as LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant enter their golden years, Edwards and the Timberwolves have shot right to the top of the list. They are playing on Christmas Day in Denver, the second straight year and just the fourth time in franchise history that the Wolves are part of the league's biggest regular-season event. must-see TV. 👀 — Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) August 14, 2025 The national TV breakdown: ESPN (seven games) 10/29: vs. LAL 11/5: @ NYK 11/26: @ OKC 1/16: @ HOU 2/8: vs. LAC 2/20: vs. DAL 3/25: vs. HOU Amazon Prime (seven) 10/24: @ LAL 12/19: vs. OKC 1/10: @ CLE 1/29: vs. OKC 2/26: @ LAC 3/7: vs. ORL 3/13: @ GSW NBC (six) 1/6: vs. MIA 1/13: @ MIL 2/24: @ PDX 3/10: @ LAL 3/22: @ BOS 4/7: @ IND ABC (four) 12/25: @ DEN 1/24: vs. GSW 3/1: @ DEN 3/15: @ OKC Peacock (four) 10/27: vs. DEN 11/3: @ BKN 1/26: vs. GSW 2/2: @ MEM Advertisement It wasn't that long ago that the national television partners ignored the Timberwolves. A single game on ESPN or TNT was cause for celebration in these parts. And there is no doubt that the new interest in Minnesota is about more than just Edwards' star power. New owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez have made it a priority to elevate the Wolves on the national scene, and Rodriguez's experience in the sports world and connections to Fox and ESPN have helped that pursuit. President of basketball operations Tim Connelly and coach Chris Finch have helped bring a rare level of stability to a historically volatile franchise. Edwards is leading the way, but he has help with Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid, along with a strong crew of role players including Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Rob Dillingham. In a stacked Western Conference, they will enter next season expecting to be in contention again. he's been in the lab. 🧪 — Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) August 14, 2025 The schedule shapes up well for them. They have only 13 back-to-backs this season, six of which are of the away-away variety that are normally the most daunting. By comparison, the Denver Nuggets have 16 back-to-backs, 10 of which are away-away sets. The Wolves also do not have a trip that lasts longer than four games, the toughest coming in March when they start with a back-to-back against the Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, then go to Golden State and Oklahoma City. Minnesota's longest homestand is a six-game stretch that bridges the All-Star break in February and includes games against the New Orleans Pelicans, Clippers, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers. Some other highlights of the schedule: 10/22: @ PDX Advertisement This is the first time the Wolves have opened the season in Portland. The Trail Blazers are in rebuild mode but added Jrue Holiday to a team that was one of the best in the league on defense over the second half of last season. The Timberwolves have been known to start slow and take teams that are not among the favorites lightly, so this will be an important game to watch. 10/26: IND After opening the season with two on the road, the Wolves get a Sunday game at Target Center for their home debut. The Indiana Pacers would be considered a much tougher out with star Tyrese Haliburton, who is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon in the NBA Finals. But the Wolves know full well how dangerous a short-handed Pacers team can be. Obi Toppin looms large. Their sluggish starts to the season usually happen on the road. They have won nine straight home openers and 12 of the last 13. 11/26: @ OKC 12/19: vs. OKC 1/29: vs. OKC 3/15: @ OKC Even with the Western Conference expected to be incredibly competitive, the Thunder will be the heavy favorites. Everyone is back from their title-winning team. They are young and ready to roll. The Wolves have a bad taste in their mouths from how the Western Conference finals ended. After a narrow loss at home in Game 4 that could have evened the series, Minnesota went to Oklahoma City and laid down in Game 5. Winning in the regular season won't settle that score, but OKC is the measuring stick. All four games are nationally televised, showing the anticipation that is building for this matchup. 12/23: vs. NYK Karl-Anthony Towns will make his lone trip back to Minnesota just before Christmas. Last year he received a standing ovation in pregame introductions, then put up 34 points and 20 rebounds in a Knicks romp. He will have a new coach this year in Mike Brown, who replaces the fired Tom Thibodeau. Advertisement 2/9: vs. ATL Nickeil Alexander-Walker became a fan favorite during his time in Minnesota, blossoming from a fringe NBA player into one of the most valuable bench pieces in the league. He left in the offseason for a four-year, $62 million deal with the Hawks and will play his one game back in Minnesota just days before the All-Star break. 10/29: vs. LAL This is the Lakers' lone trip to Minnesota next season. The Wolves dominated Los Angeles in their playoff matchup, something Luka Dončić will have on his mind. 11/7: vs UTA 11/14: vs SAC 11/21: @ PHX 11/26: @ OKC The Timberwolves have a winnable group for this season's Emirates Cup. They have not advanced to Las Vegas for the knockout round in the first two years but certainly could get there this time around. Knockout round play in Vegas begins Dec. 9. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Maye and McCarthy show progress in Patriots-Vikings joint practices
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The top quarterbacks in last year's NFL draft accounted for six of the top 12 picks, and they had a wide range of results in their rookie year, from award-winning to not applicable. Drake Maye, though picked as an injury replacement for the Pro Bowl, had a bumpy debut while the New England Patriots went 4-13. J.J. McCarthy didn't play at all for the Minnesota Vikings, after he was sidelined by a torn meniscus in his right knee. The bright side for both players was plenty of room for real progress, which became a bit easier to envision this week during joint practices between the Patriots and Vikings. McCarthy stole the show on Thursday, producing perhaps his finest performance of training camp in terms of accuracy, decisiveness and head-turning completions during full-team drills, particularly in 11-on-11 red zone situations. 'There's going to be some throws where you've got to squeeze it in a window, some throws where he threw it up and over some guys and found some open grass with the ability to throw the football in different ways,' Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said. 'All things we've been working on, all things he's talented and capable of doing, but to do it in this setting should give him some confidence moving forward.' O'Connell has been stressing to McCarthy the importance of 'layering' his throws, depending on where the defenders are and what route his receivers are running, so that every pass doesn't leave his hand with the same velocity. The Vikings have raved at every turn about McCarthy's eagerness to learn and improve since he was first injured a year ago, and that has shown up in practices with the way he's thrown the ball at different angles and speeds to the right places. The 10th overall pick last year was particularly proud of the touch he had on a pass to Jordan Addison on Thursday in the back of the end zone. 'I think I'm one of the most accurate guys out there,' McCarthy said. 'Just being able to take it day by day and really hone in on every single throw.' Maye made strong throw after strong throw down the field on Wednesday against a Vikings defense well-known for causing confusion for opponents, but the production by the first-team Patriots offense on Thursday left more to be desired, with the pass rush spearheaded by Jonathan Greenard frequently causing problems for an offensive line that has plenty to prove this season. 'We've got to give him time, period,' center Garrett Bradbury said. 'As much time as he needs.' Learning to lead New Patriots coach Mike Vrabel has been leaning on Maye, the third overall pick last year, to become more demonstrative in huddles and meetings. 'It's not that it's lacking. I always want more. I think I have to as a coach," Vrabel said. "We always want to try take a player and meet them where they're at and then be able to improve on that.' Maye said he has been embracing the challenge. 'I want somebody to push me to do more for the team, have more of an impact with the guys around me,' Maye said. 'I feel like if I have that and if I feel like I'm not showing it myself, then I need somebody to push me along.' McCarthy has turned plenty of heads with the Vikings for his beyond-his-years leadership potential. 'He doesn't feel like a young guy,' tight end T.J. Hockenson said. 'The way he controls the huddle, his energy in the huddle, how he talks about the game and the mentality is high-level thinking." Happy birthday, dear coach ... Vrabel celebrated his 50th birthday on the practice field, naturally, but he did have a favorite dessert in mind for later to mark the milestone. 'It's carrot cake. That's it. There's one answer. There's no hemming and hawing," Vrabel said. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
6 takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots-Vikings joint practices
The New England Patriots concluded their second day of joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, having been given a real test this week. Both the Vikings' offense and defense provided challenges for the Patriots, and as expected, things went well, while the team struggled in other areas. So, here are the key takeaways from the second day of joint practice with the Vikings: *Information in this piece provided by the Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed, NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry, and MassLive's Mark Daniels 1. Mike Vrabel Jumps in the Middle of a Fight... Again During a scuffle between the Patriots and the Washington Commanders in last week's joint practice, head coach Mike Vrabel jumped in to try and break it up, but ended up on the bottom and even came up with a streak of blood on his face. And on Thursday, he jumped right in again between New England and the Vikings, and once again ended up on the bottom of the pile. Oh, and not to mention it was Vrabel's 50th birthday. With that, he told reporters there is only one kind of cake he wants. 'There's one answer, it's carrot cake,' Vrabel said. 'There's one answer. There's no hemming and hawing.' 2. Another Rough Day for Will Campbell Will Campbell certainly had his hands full during joint practices, and Thursday was no different. The rookie left tackle was battling Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and gave up two sacks during team drills. 3. Ben Brown Makes The Move to Left Guard After having some struggles during the first day, Jared Wilson didn't take part in the second day despite being present in pads. He was even photographed leaving the field early. In his absence, Ben Brown filled in at left guard, continuing to work with the top unit. 4. Drake Maye to Kayshon Boutte Hail Mary Drake Maye has been having some success in the two-minute periods to end practice on both days of joint practice. One day after hitting TreVeyon Henderson on a wheel route, with the rookie running back taking it for a 70-yard touchdown, Maye connected with Kayshon Boutte on a Hail Mary. This came after Maye was sacked twice, which forced a fourth-down situation. But, he sent the ball deep for Boutte, and the receiver didn't disappoint. 5. J.J. McCarthy vs. The Patriots Defense J.J. McCarthy took advantage of the Patriots' missing Christian Gonzalez, giving the cornerbacks a lot of trouble. Despite nice pressure from New England's defensive line, McCarthy was able to make plays and connect with his receivers, including nice plays to T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison. 6. Attendance Not participating: CB Christian Gonzalez, WR Ja'Lynn Polk, LB Marte Mapu, RB Terrell Jennings, RB Rhamondre Stevenson, LB Jahlani Tavai, WR Kendrick Bourne, TE Hunter Henry Returned: TE Hunter Henry, ED Elijah Ponder Limited: S Jabrill Peppers, CB D.J. James Left Early: OL Jared Wilson What's Next? The Patriots will face off against the Vikings in their second preseason game on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium. Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell announced that J.J. McCarthy will not play, and Sam Howell will start instead. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 6 takeaways from Day 2 of Patriots-Vikings joint practices
