EAGAN, Minn. — Byron Murphy, Jr., wasn't interested in shopping around.

His Vikings contract was set to expire in the New League Year, but Murphy told his agent he wanted only one thing: to stay in Minnesota.

Both parties made that happen, reaching a new agreement before the cornerback hit free agency, and Murphy couldn't be happier.

"That was my biggest goal going into this offseason, was to get back here," he told Twin Cities media members Monday, just a few hours after being back in the building with teammates. "This is a place I want to be. Everything happens for a reason, and I'm just glad. I'm excited to get back to work."

Murphy spent a little more than 9 minutes at the podium and never stepped grinning.

He told reporters there was "no doubt" in his mind he'd be back in Purple for his seventh NFL season, explaining Minnesota is "where I've been my best" both on and off the field.

"The culture of this team, the culture of the building, obviously the guys in the locker room. That's who I'm around every single day, that's who I go to work with. But those guys push me to be great. You've got guys like 4-4 (Joshua Metellus), that's my brother," Murphy said. "We just push each other to be great here. Our coaches hold us to a certain standard. We're all trying to reach that standard, be better than that standard, and get to that point where we want to go."

Having initially joined the Vikings as a free agent in 2023 after four years in Arizona, Murphy noted the success he's had through 31 regular-season games with Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores.

The 27-year-old has totaled 138 tackles, nine interceptions, 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 27 passes defensed for Minnesota. He snagged a whopping six of those interceptions last season, tying for third most in the league behind two division foes Kerby Joseph and Xavier McKinney.

Murphy received his first career Pro Bowl nod following the 2024 campaign and impressed in the all-star game, as well, earning Defensive MVP honors.

Asked about the step forward he took last season, Murphy again cited the philosophy imparted by Minnesota's coaching staff, Flores in particular.

"I feel like his scheme and the position he puts players in, 'Go make plays,' it's just perfect for me. Obviously D.J. (Daronte Jones), Hutch' (Michael Hutchings) and all those guys who put in the work with us, as well, but I feel like Coach Flo' just does a great job overall," Murphy said. "It's putting everybody in great positions to go make plays, finding out what you're good at and just setting you up to go do it."

Not only does he provide a spark on the field, but Murphy also has established himself as a defensive leader in the locker room. Now the eldest player in the Vikings cornerbacks group, he reflected on entering the NFL as a 20-year-old rookie looking to veterans as an example and said he's eager to do the same.

"We've got 'Nudie' (Dwight McGlothern), we've got 'Khi (Mekhi Blackmon) coming back, you know, just keep showing them the ropes and everything," Murphy said. "Our DB position group just keeps getting better and better every single day."

Much of what Murphy has learned in the Vikings secondary has come from Harrison Smith, whom he'll continue leaning on as the All-Pro safety returns for a 14^th season.

"Man, Year 14 is crazy. Shout out to Harry for that," Murphy said, shaking his head in disbelief. "But to have him back, obviously, having another vet in the room, that helps a lot … But Harry's been doing it a long time, so he kind of shows us every day all those things … His leadership role and his knowledge, that's the biggest thing, his knowledge of the game."

The feeling is mutual, though.

"Murph' is a guy who's easy to play with," Smith told media members Monday. "He's a playmaker in big moments. He can do a lot of things. He's smart. And then from a personal side, seeing a guy that you go play with and play for sign a big deal, it's awesome. The fact that it's back here, that's even better.

"He's a huge piece of us; he's a phenomenal player," Smith added. "I think that's reflected in how all that unfolded."

Smith and Murphy both are committed to helping the Vikings take it to the next level, especially coming off a 14-3 regular season that came to a disappointing end much earlier (Wild Card Weekend) than the team anticipated.

"I'm still not over it, to be honest," Murphy admitted. "The team we had last year, I mean, I just feel like that was probably one of the best teams I've been a part of. I feel like we really had the opportunity to go get that Super Bowl, but obviously things didn't work out. So, I've still got that [chip] on my shoulder from that game.

"The first thing in my mind right now is just to win. You know, that's the team goal. That's the goal of everyone here. We just want to go win," he continued. "I've been to the playoffs twice and went out in the first round twice. I just don't want that feeling again. That's kind of been sticking with me the whole time.

"Winning is the number one thing right now, and I just feel like that's what we're about to do," Murphy added. "We're bringing the new guys in and just about to bring this thing together."