Kyler Murray is locked in one of the league’s most intriguing QB1 battles against J.J. McCarthy. Murray signed a veteran minimum contract with the Minnesota Vikings after being released by the Arizona Cardinals in March.
Why Did the Arizona Cardinals Release Kyler Murray?
Murray was selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cardinals, and he won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award after a promising debut season. The Cardinals released Murray in March after seven years, primarily to avoid paying the quarterback a $19.5 million added guarantee that would have been triggered on March 15.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed on X that the former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback was still due a mammoth $36.8 million guaranteed payment.
“The Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they are releasing him, adding a key free agent to the market. Murray is due $36.8M guaranteed for 2026 with offsets, meaning he’ll play this season for someone for the minimum,” Rapoport wrote.
Despite showing early promise, Murray led the Cardinals to the playoffs only once, and the last time he posted a winning record as a starter was in 2021. In February, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano and Henry McKenna reported that the Cardinals were frustrated by Murray’s work ethic and lack of leadership.
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The report further revealed that the Cardinals doubted Murray’s athleticism after his ACL tear four years ago.
Murray tallied 20,460 passing yards on 67.1% completion, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions, while adding 3,193 rushing yards and 32 scores for the Cardinals in seven seasons.
According to PFN’s QB Impact Metric, Murray finished as a top-10 quarterback in the league only once during his time with the Cardinals, in 2021, when he recorded an impact score of 80.1.
What Next for Murray in Minnesota?
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak revealed Murray’s struggles during the Vikings’ training camp. He further predicted that the former Cardinals standout would beat McCarthy to the Vikings’ starting job next season.
“McCarthy appears to be trying not to lose the job rather than win it,” Solak wrote. “That isn’t as bad of a plan as it sounds. Murray will always be the superior playmaker — his escapability and arm talent objectively clears McCarthy’s — but O’Connell’s offense has always preferred reliable pocket quarterbacks who execute the system.”Â
“My prediction: Murray will gain ground every day of camp,” Solak added. “He’ll iron out the easy mistakes of the first few days. His arm will shine. McCarthy needs to make bigger throws and take bigger chances to hold off Murray. I entered Minnesota with a strong belief that Murray will win this quarterback competition, and I leave feeling the same.”
In an injury-plagued last season in Arizona, Murray managed 962 passing yards, 6 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in five games, while adding 173 rushing yards and 1 score for the Cardinals.
