National Outlet Makes Bold Kyler Murray Prediction
The Vikings hired Kyler Murray in March to give their poor quarterback room a spark. Last year’s squad lacked an established NFL passer. Carson Wentz met that criteria to some extent, but at this stage of his career, he’s no longer a starting-caliber player and durability has never been his strong suit.
Murray is not a prime example of a durable signal-caller either, but his talent is undeniable. The decorated high school and college player was selected first overall and earned a couple of Pro Bowl selections early in his career.
Recently, his career took some bumps and bruises, though he could be in line for a redemption arc in the upcoming season. His surroundings in Minnesota are pretty much ideal. That’s why the new purple passer earned a sweet prediction from Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, who compiled a list of surprise predictions for 2026.
His Murray prediction lands the veteran in the Pro Bowl and, after the season, with a Comeback Player of the Year trophy in his hands.
He wrote, “Arizona is paying Murray $35 million to attempt to resurrect his career in Minnesota after the 28-year-old signed with the Vikings for the veteran minimum. In order to do so he’ll first have to beat out J.J. McCarthy to start in the Twin Cities. Then he’ll have to try to recapture the form that saw him win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2019 and make the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021. Beating out McCarthy shouldn’t be especially difficult—Murray has shown exponentially more upside in the pros than McCarthy has over two injury-marred years.”
McCarthy faceplanted in his first season as a starter, a season overshadowed by three injuries that cost him playing time and when he was available, his play left a lot to be desired. Though growth is always possible, especially for a guy aged 23, Murray is still widely expected to run away with the starting gig.
And when he does, he’s primed to excel.
“The tools are there for Murray in Minnesota—the Vikes have a decent offensive line and run game and Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings are one of the better wide receiver trios in the league,” Davenport added. “Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell has already brought one quarterback back to life in Sam Darnold in 2024.”
There are only a handful of QBs in the league that can carry an offense that lacks weapons; everyone else can just be as good as the pass-catchers on their side of the ball. Murray has an embarrassment of riches, as he called it at this week’s OTAs. In addition to the elite pass-catching unit, he can rely on head coach Kevin O’Connell, who can turn veteran quarterbacks into the best versions of themselves.
“O’Connell will scheme his offense to Murray’s strengths,” Davenport further explained. “The team around him is playoff-caliber. And Murray has shown he can play—he has completed over 67 percent of his passes and has twice as many touchdown throws as interceptions. Add it all up, and it will be time for another Lazarus act, with Murray leading the Vikings to the postseason, making his third Pro Bowl and winning Comeback Player of the Year.”
The Vikings’ over/under is set at 8.5, a number every team with massive question marks gets. In this case, the quarterback position is that question mark. We know a defense led by Brian Flores will work and the offense does when the quarterback position is solidified. If Murray goes to the Pro Bowl, it certainly will be and the playoffs are a real possibility in that case.
The early returns are positive.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis wrote after the first practice session in OTAs, “Murray, picked No. 1 in 2019 by the Arizona Cardinals, showcased his feel as a passer with several touch throws. Then, after practice, when speaking to local media in person for the first time, Murray’s answers oozed with comfort and conviction.”
Murray’s 17-game career averages show 3,998 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He can also run, adding another 624 yards and six scores on the ground. If he can deliver those numbers, the Vikings are in good shape. Furthermore, if he truly clicks in Minnesota, the sky is the limit for a player of his caliber, combined with the receiving talent around him.
Murray, 28, has a chip on his shoulder. The expectations are rising, but as a former first overall pick, that’s nothing new to him.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.