There’s a New Kyler Murray Report
As the offseason is slowly heating up, the Minnesota Vikings are linked to all kinds of quarterbacks. One of those is Kyler Murray, the 1st overall pick from 2019, who is nearing a divorce from the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s been quite clear that Murray doesn’t have a future in Glendale, but his departure is quite imminent.
On Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport poured some gasoline on the rumors surrounding the passer. He stated, “There’s going to be an unprecedented number of starting-caliber quarterbacks available for very little money. … You’ve got Tua Tagovailoa, likely released. You got Kyler Murray, a likely release from the Arizona Cardinals absent of a last-minute trade, which I would be a little surprised about.”
Kirk Cousins will be released by the Falcons, their GM stated last week, and Geno Smith could be on the market, too. It’s unclear which one the Vikings will grab, but it’s becoming more and more likely that one of those experienced veterans will end up in the Twin Cities.
Once a report like that one is out there, saying that a player will be released barring a trade, it’s highly unlikely that a trade will actually be worked out. In most such cases, a release is the logical outcome.
That’s especially sweet for the Vikings. If Murray is axed, the club doesn’t have to send any trade compensation to Arizona or pick up his contract. Furthermore, as he is still getting paid by the Cardinals via guaranteed money, he might even be available for the veteran minimum.
While Murray doesn’t seem like a desirable option for $45 million per year, getting him for just over $1 million certainly changes the conversation.
The two-time Pro Bowler is coming off an injury-riddled campaign in which he started only five games. As the club was fighting for Draft position rather than wins in the strong NFC West, there was no reason to activate the dynamic athlete down the stretch. Jacoby Brissett kept the starting job for the remainder of the season.
Murray went 2-3 in those five games, completing 68.3% of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three picks. He added another 173 yards and one score on the ground. That, of course, was a disappointing season for the former Heisman winner. Injuries, in fact, slowed him down over the last four years, as he appeared in more than 11 games just once over that timeframe.
In 2024, Murray suited up for all 17 games, collecting an 8-9 record with solid numbers. He turned a completion percentage of 68.8% into 3,851 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 picks. Paired with his legs that delivered another 572 yards and five touchdowns, that’s undoubtedly better than what the Vikings had in 2025.
On Sunday, ESPN’s Dan Graziano linked the Vikings to Murray. He wrote, “The odd quarterback landscape of this offseason makes it difficult to predict where the Vikings land, but if and when someone such as Geno Smith or Kyler Murray gets cut, I could see Minnesota pursuing that kind of passer on a low-cost, one-year prove-it deal.”
Murray has yet to play in a Kevin O’Connell-style offense, so it’s unknown how he would fit. The vertical passing game hasn’t been a strong suit over his career, but it’s a major aspect of Minnesota’s offense.
Another issue is that, if released, Murray can choose his next employer. There will be suitors, as there are several QB-needy squads, such as the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and likely, the Miami Dolphins.
The good news is that the Vikings are generally viewed as an intriguing destination for passers, with O’Connell dialing up the plays and Justin Jefferson roaming the field. That combination can help a veteran quarterback revitalize his career.
Ultimately, the latest report reinforces that the Vikings are closely monitoring the veteran quarterback market rather than committing to a single path. If Murray does become available, he would represent a low-risk, high-upside option to compete with J.J. McCarthy. With a strong offensive supporting cast and Kevin O’Connell’s QB-friendly system, Minnesota would be a logical landing spot if the situation in Arizona truly leads to a release.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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