This Kyler Murray Trade Theory Makes Sense
As the train chugs along the tracks of the Vikings’ offseason, we’re expecting to see the winner of the QB competition become the starter for the 2026 NFL season. This goes without saying, but what happens to the other guy? Would the loser of the Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy “battle for supremacy” just get automatically slotted in as the QB2?
That seems to be the natural conclusion of it all. One guy wins, the other guy holds the clipboard and waits for another chance to get on the field. Have we stopped to think, ‘hey, what if that’s not what happens’? That’s exactly what Tyler Forness of AtoZ Sports talked about recently.
Vikings QB Competition Loser Could Be Out of Here
On his podcast, Vikings 1st & SKOL, Forness made a bold prediction, sharing that he believed that the loser of the competition between Murray and McCarthy wouldn’t be the backup, but in fact be the QB3 behind Carson Wentz as the backup.
He explained:
“You’re going to have Carson Wentz as your QB2, and I think you’re going to have Max Brosmer as your QB3. My theory, right now, is that either Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy will be off the roster, and if he’s not, I think that guy will be QB3.
Forness explained that making someone the QB3 is “simple”, and implied it would be beneficial for whomever is starter so the other guy isn’t “breathing down your neck”. It makes sense, as Carson Wentz is a capable backup. He absolutely had some rough outings against Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Chargers last season. Though, to be fair, he was nowhere near 100% for the Thursday Night showdown at SoFi Stadium against the Chargers.
Wentz was arguably the best QB on the roster in 2025, and the Vikings felt that it was important to retain him. That’s why earlier this offseason, Minnesota brought him back on a 1-year/$3 million deal.
What Forness said next was certainly a bold statement, although, not completely out of the realm of possibility.
Kyler Murray Could Request a Trade if He Loses QB Competition
And the theory on Kyler from Tyler:
“My theory is this. If Kyler does not get the starting job, I think he’ll request a trade.”
It sounds ridiculous at first to even think about trade scenarios for Kyler Murray before he’s even appeared in a training camp for the team. However, it is absolutely within the range of possibilities.
This is a QB competition after all, and Kyler Murray has been the QB1 for the Arizona Cardinals since he was drafted in 2019. He’s used to being in that role, and he’s expecting to be in that role in Minnesota. From his standpoint, if he doesn’t win the job, he could absolutely request a trade to a different suitor that was interested in him this offseason as well.
From the Vikings’ point-of-view, it would make some sense as well. Kyler Murray’s contract this season comes with a no-tag clause baked into it. If McCarthy was named the starter, and Murray was relegated to QB3 in line Forness’ theory, then why keep him around? If you went to Wentz as the backup, then he’s getting in before Murray, and Murray is only on a one year deal.
With the no-tag clause in Murray’s contract, if the Vikings want to get some value out of him if he isn’t playing, then they would have to deal him before the trade deadline this season. After that, he would be guaranteed to walk to free agency, seeing as there’s no time past this year on his contract.
