GOOD NEWS: $97 million star urged Viking to keep him in free agency…See more

After driving safety Cam Bynum into his contract year, the star player for the Minnesota Vikings is pressing the team to extend the contract before it’s too late.

With his strong play through the first five weeks of the season, Bynum is the player most likely to receive a contract extension in the next two months, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who made the case for Bynum.

In recent months, Minnesota and Bynum had explored an extension, but they were unable to come to a consensus. He is currently scheduled to become a free agent. With two interceptions, five pass deflections, and a fumble recovery, he is dominating Brian Flores’ defence. During a contract year, making big plays might help the team return to the negotiating table with more strength.

While Bynum is making a strong case for an extension, local beat reporter Darren Wolfson of KSTP called it “a little unrealistic” due to the new regime’s philosophy of not overspending at the position.

Bynum’s camp may like their prospects in free agency given his play the past two years. Wolfson projected Bynum could garner a contract on par with Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney — a four-year, $67 million deal.

That’s a steep contract, but Bynum has leverage with Harrison Smith‘s future in question at the age of 36. Minnesota also parted ways with first-round pick Lewis Cine in August, leaving no apparent successor for Smith other than Bynum.