The Kyler Murray Conversation around the Vikings Is Changing
Do you remember the weeks recently when J.J. McCarthy struggled to complete a basic pass, and the Minnesota succumbed to a season-sinking losing streak? Alternative quarterback theories emerged, and Arizona Cardinals passer Kyler Murray was not excluded. In the last couple of games, though, McCarthy has improved, so much so that Murray to Minnesota may be moot.
If McCarthy keeps stacking efficient Sundays, Minnesota’s front office can treat Murray as a luxury rumor, not a necessity.
The Vikings’ enterprise would always run smoother if McCarthy developed into a franchise quarterback. That appears to be underway, and Murray could be a non-factor in Minnesota’s offseason plan.
What the Kyler Murray Talk Really Means for Vikings
Murray to Vikings takes a U-turn.
ESPN Dials Back Murray Steam for Vikings
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN opined on Murray’s current situation this week, “The quarterback trade market is worth watching, particularly with supply failing to meet the demand once again. Jones might be the next reclamation project QB to take off in a second act.”
“This leads to a conversation on Kyler Murray, whom the Cardinals are subtly — or quite obviously — trying to stash to preserve his health for a potential trade this offseason. His nearly $37 million in guarantees on the 2026 books complicates the market for his services, but Murray is 28 and isn’t far removed from fringe top-10-QB status.”
Fowler then mentioned the Vikings: “Does a safe landing spot exist for Murray? Working with, say, Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota would be ideal, but J.J. McCarthy has shown improvement over the past two weeks. The Raiders and Jets are among teams that appear to be in transition at quarterback.”
“Whether a team takes a chance on Murray’s maligned career — and gives up draft capital and financial resources to do it — remains to be seen.”
When the Murray trade or release chatter heated up a few weeks ago, McCarthy had not played well at all, prompting Minnesota to earn some mentions as a possible landing spot. The state of play has changed with McCarthy’s recent reversal.
Why Would Vikings Need Murray if McCarthy Is Cooking?
Listen, if McCarthy continues his recent pace — three touchdowns per game — there’s no earthly reason that the Vikings would need Murray. There just isn’t.
The Murray idea picked up steam while McCarthy played like a combination of Spergon Wynn, JaMarcus Russell, and Christian Ponder. McCarthy, in his first six starts, played like a bona fide draft bust. But then something happened when he approached the 250-dropback mark in the big leagues: he matured on the fly.
Most quarterbacks don’t struggle quite as intensely as McCarthy in his first six starts, but most quarterbacks also don’t flip a switch as McCarthy did in starts No. 7 and 8.
Adding Murray, whether via trade or a free-agent signing (if Arizona released him), would come at a hefty cost. That price won’t be worth it if the good version of McCarthy is here to stay.
A High-End Backup Instead
What would Minnesota need during the 2026 offseason if a quarterback in Murray’s tier is not required? Easy — a trusted QB2. Somebody more productive than Carson Wentz, Sam Howell, and Brett Rypien.
These players should be available in March:
- Case Keenum
- Drew Lock
- Gardner Minshew
- Jake Browning
- Jimmy Garoppolo
- Joe Flacco
- Kenny Pickett
- Malik Willis
- Marcus Mariota
- Mitchell Trubisky
- Russell Wilson
- Teddy Bridgewater
Last year, the Vikings waited until the draft to address the QB2 spot, ending up with Sam Howell via trade, who lasted four months. Perhaps the club will be more proactive in 2026.
Who Else for Murray?
The NFL quarterback carousel will arrive in living color in about two months, but outwardly, these teams make the most sense for Murray if he’s traded or released:
- Indianapolis Colts
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- Pittsburgh Steelers
The Colts especially make sense because they are all-in to win now — see the Sauce Gardner trade as evidence — and QB1 Daniel Jones tore his Achilles, an injury that often takes a full year to heal. Too, if Aaron Rodgers walks away, the Steelers could bang on the Cardinals’ door for a trade.
At the moment, Minnesota may be in a good spot: not needing Murray, as McCarthy looks like a franchise quarterback in the making.
ESPN on the Colts’ Situation
ESPN’s Dan Graziano also noted on the Colts, “I guess I wonder what happens if they finish the season under .500 and miss the playoffs again. Are people on the coaching staff and in the front office on the hot seat? Remember, Indianapolis is sort of under new ownership, as Jim Irsay’s daughters inherited the team following his passing before this season. I wonder at what point Carlie Irsay-Gordon will look to make changes.”
“It’s certainly possible the Daniel Jones and Richardson injuries buy people some grace — everyone knows this Rivers experiment is a Hail Mary and miles removed from their best-case scenario. But the Colts have gone longer without winning the AFC South than any other team in the division, and it doesn’t look like that will change this season.”
Keep an eye on Indianapolis for a Murray landing spot; that team just makes so much sense.
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