The Case for Kyler Murray as the Vikings’ New QB1
As things stand, Kyler Murray is picking up some frequent-flyer miles within the Minnesota Vikings rumors.
The veteran quarterback appears to be at the end of his time in Arizona. Gone is the former regime, making Murray’s ongoing spot on the Cardinals’ roster even more precarious. Would it be wise to bring Murray town? Could he be the needed QB competition alongside J.J. McCarthy?
The Case for Kyler Murray
Argument No. 1: A Trade Would Be Foolish
Last season, Murray went 2-3 while starting for the Cardinals. He only played in five games. He played seventeen games in 2024, but only eight games in 2023, eleven games in 2022, and fourteen games in 2021. See a trend?
Kyler Murray is 5’10” and 207 pounds.
Note, as well, that he’s working on a five-year contract that’s tipping the scales at $230.5 million. Any team that pulls off a trade for Murray needs to hand over a draft pick(s) and then pay whatever remains of the contract. Quite possibly, there could even need to be a new deal for Murray, recommitting to him as Arizona moves on.
The Vikings want to be lethal off of play action. Murray tends to do better out of shotgun. The only season where he played every game over the past five years was in 2024. In that season, Murray was under center for 121 passes. He was working out of shotgun for 420 passes. The overall tally of play-action passes came in at 127 versus 414 for passes not using play action. Is Minnesota willing to adjust to such a stark divide or would they ask Murray to adjust?
Kyler Murray has been to the playoffs a single time. He is 0-1 after completing 55.9% of his passes for 137 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
Topping it all off is the truly bizarre past tidbit about needing a studying clause within his contract with Arizona. Never did Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, and/or other all-time great QBs need that to get worked into their deals (even if the eraser did come out to remove it).
Costly (both for picks and money), small, oft-injured, a questionable scheme fit, and never a winner in the NFL, Kyler Murray appears like the perfect option for the Jets.
Argument No. 2: A Trade Would Be Wise
The Arizona Cardinals are a bad NFL franchise. Consider each shortcoming alongside the context of doing work in subpar surroundings.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell likes accurate passers (who doesn’t?). Even within those less-than-deal conditions, Kyler Murray has completed 67.1% of his passes across his career. That’s a tremendous number, one that could very likely be replicated or improved upon with O’Connell getting to draw things up on the chalk board.
Oh, and that Justin Jefferson guy happens to be alright. There must be a sense of urgency when it comes to giving Jefferson a competent QB1.
The contract is indeed a factor to consider, but a significant amount has already been paid by the Cardinals since the deal got signed back in 2022. As for cap charges, the Vikings would get relief in the form of the signing bonus sticking around in Arizona rather than jumping over to Minnesota. Even more cap room could be carved out by adjusting the contract that only has three years remaining (2026-2028).
A high-level athlete, Murray can be very elusive. He can help the Vikings’ o-line by shuffling away from pass rushers and can proceed with confidence that he is working from within a team that boasts an impressive defense to take the burden off his shoulders.
He’s a former No. 1 pick, a gifted athlete, an accurate passer, and wouldn’t get tasked with being Superman in the Twin Cities. College football nerds may even like to know that he won a Heisman before turning pro.
Kyler Murray won’t arrive at his 29th birthday until August of 2026.
