The Arizona Cardinals released Kyler Murray after seven turbulent seasons, ending a relationship that began when the franchise selected the Oklahoma product with the first overall pick in 2019. The move came despite Murray having $36.8 million in guaranteed money remaining on his 2022 extension.
The Vikings wasted no time and signed Murray to a one-year, $1.3 million deal on March 12, setting up a quarterback competition with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.
Kyler Murray Can Save His NFL Career With the Vikings
For Murray, the decision was simple as he now has a chance to redeem his career with the same organization that rehabilitated Sam Darnold, who went 14-3 with Minnesota in 2024 before winning Super Bowl 60 with Seattle in 2025.
Murray chose Minnesota instead of waiting for other opportunities because the Vikings offered what he needed most: a proven quarterback whisperer in head coach Kevin O’Connell and an immediate path to starting.
During a segment on PFSN’s “Football Debate Club,” NFL analyst Jacob Infante crowned Murray’s move to the Vikings as “the best move of the offseason” thus far.
“As much as I hate to say it as a Bears guy, I’m going to say Kyler Murray to the Vikings,” Infante said. “I mean, I look at it like Minnesota went 9-8 last season with terrible quarterback play. J.J. McCarthy finished 37th in the NFL in PFSN’s QB Impact scoring.”
“Kyler, on a smaller sample size, finished 21st, and he graded 11th in 2024, so I think if he can stay healthy, with Kyler throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, I think that’s going to boost both Kyler and Minnesota’s offense,” Infante added. “And they’re only paying him $1.3 million this year, too. They upgraded at quarterback for super cheap.”
Murray has never had a supporting cast like the one he will have in Minnesota. Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson will help the 28-year-old quarterback thrive in O’Connell’s offense.
For a dual-threat quarterback like Murray, who averaged 235.2 passing yards and 36.7 rushing yards per game across seven years in Arizona, these weapons can maximize both facets of his skill set.
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According to PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, Minnesota ranked fourth in the league last season and is expected to maintain that level in 2026 under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. As a result, Minnesota’s quarterback just needs to play above-average football for the Vikings to be a contender.
If Murray stays healthy and plays as he did in 2021, when he posted a 69.2% completion percentage and led Arizona to an 11-6 record, Minnesota has a path back to the playoffs in the loaded NFC North. By being productive with the Vikings, Murray could position himself for a lucrative free agency payday.
Even if Murray struggles or gets hurt, Minnesota will have McCarthy available, and the Vikings can turn to the 23-year-old without having sunk significant resources into their quarterback room.
