Vikings’ Camryn Bynum heading back to Philippines to do relief work
Vikings safety Camryn Bynum went to the Philippines for three weeks last summer to do relief work. Now, he plans to be there even longer.
“I’m probably leaving in a week, and I’ll be there for months,” said Bynum, adding that he expects to return shortly before spring drills begin in April.
Bynum’s mother is half Filipino. He traveled to the Philippines with her and other family members last year to help victims of Typhoon Megi, which hit the island of Leyte last April. More than 200 people died in the storm, more than 300,000 people were displaced and more than 11,000 homes were damaged or destroyed.
“I’ll do mission trips, really the same stuff I did last offseason,” Bynum said. “I’ll look to help people that got hit by the typhoon and all the disasters out there. Basically, I’ll be doing everything. Whatever way we can help the people.”
Bynum started all 17 games in 2022, and was the only Minnesota defensive player to be on the field for every snap.
Smith declines offer
A source said defensive lineman T.J. Smith, who finished the season on the practice squad, declined an offer by the Vikings to sign a futures contract and will mull his options moving forward. Smith was elevated for one game during the season. He made four tackles, including one for loss, in 22 snaps on Jan. 1 at Green Bay.
