The Athletic: What I heard about Minnesota's QBs

[StickierBuns]

In-depth interview with KOC via the Vikings.com reporter:

[MaroonBells]

There is never ever going to be a measurable standard.  All metrics are subject to being wrong.  What you are looking for in a #1 overall QB or for that matter any first round QB is less tangible than that. 

We all know how much a franchise QB costs.  I think ultimately, where the line is, is something like “You want a guy that you don’t feel bad about paying franchise QB money to”.  You want a guy that you give them $55-$60M a year, and you can build a team around them that can take you to the SB.  This is a QB who should give you multiple shots at a SB.  These are guys that are elevating and carrying the rest of the team. 

What you aren’t hoping for is a guy that only works … if the price is right.  You aren’t hoping for a guy … that only wins if everything is perfect.  I think Kyler is in this camp.  He’s good enough that you’ll end up paying him more than you should and the roster will deteriorate around him, and every year will be harder and harder until eventually you cut him and fire everyone.

I think Kyler is a guy who can find a long home with a team if he costs $30-$35M a year.  I think if he cost that much, he’d still be on the Cardinals.  At league minimum, he’s definitely a bargain.  If he’s asking $50M+, I’d only do that a year at a time.

Where is he on the list?  Probably between Carson Palmer and Alex Smith on a healthy year.

You seem to be writing this from next year’s perspective, and how much Murray might cost us long term, and would that be worth it. That’s a whole separate argument, and one where we might not disagree. But we’ll cross that fjord when we get to it. This is about what Kyler Murray offers the Vikings right now, in 2026. And it surprises me how many people don’t seem to quite grasp what this means for a team with Justin Jefferson, et al. 

By the way, of the last 20 QBs taken #1 overall, not a single one has won a Super Bowl for the team who drafted them (with apologies to Manning who was traded the day he was picked).

[purplefaithful]

I just hope for some clarity and calmness at the QB position for this team. The last little slice of that we had ended with Kirko laying on LAmblow field.

Thats a long time ago now

[pattersaur]

Where are you getting this?

Mostly from the teams who have switched QBs this offseason versus the teams who haven't, and from the Kyler Facetime Tour that Never Was because either A, the Vikings were so convincing and boisterous in our sales pitch that he simply couldn’t entertain another team afterwards, or B, because there wasn't a ton of interest from good teams. Throw in his bottom-third ranked QBR last year, plus his top-third QBR from 2024, and I thought what I said was pretty fair. If you're asking me if I have first hand sources with all 32 teams to track Kyler's market demand, alas I do not. You seem to be Kyler's publicist these days, maybe you have the exact numbers

[MaroonBells]

Mostly from the teams who have switched QBs this offseason versus the teams who haven't, and from the Kyler Facetime Tour that Never Was because either A, the Vikings were so convincing and boisterous in our sales pitch that he simply could entertain another team afterwards, or B, because there wasn't a ton of interest from good teams. Throw in his bottom-third ranked QBR last year, plus his top-third QBR from 2024, and I thought what I said was pretty fair. If you're asking me if I have first hand sources with all 32 teams to track Kyler's market demand, alas I do not. You seem to be Kyler's publicist these days, maybe you have the exact numbers

The only thing I've heard is that there were a couple teams (the Rams were one) who wanted to talk to him about next season while he was in Minnesota signing his deal, which was smart on his part and theirs. 

Obviously, no team was going to trade for him and take on the $56M owed, so everyone knew he'd be released. At that point, there was no other team who could offer what the Vikings did. No one even close. So Kyler to Minny was a foregone conclusion months ago.

[pattersaur]

The only thing I've heard is that there were a couple teams (the Rams were one) who wanted to talk to him about next season while he was in Minnesota signing his deal, which was smart on his part and theirs. 

Obviously, no team was going to trade for him and take on the $56M owed, so everyone knew he'd be released. At that point, there was no other team who could offer what the Vikings did. No one even close. So Kyler to Minny was a foregone conclusion months ago.

Many teams could offer what the Vikings did or more. They chose not to. That’s all I’m saying. This wasn’t the Peyton Manning free agency sweepstakes.

[MaroonBells]

Mostly from the teams who have switched QBs this offseason versus the teams who haven't, and from the Kyler Facetime Tour that Never Was because either A, the Vikings were so convincing and boisterous in our sales pitch that he simply couldn’t entertain another team afterwards, or B, because there wasn't a ton of interest from good teams. Throw in his bottom-third ranked QBR last year, plus his top-third QBR from 2024, and I thought what I said was pretty fair. If you're asking me if I have first hand sources with all 32 teams to track Kyler's market demand, alas I do not. You seem to be Kyler's publicist these days, maybe you have the exact numbers

I’m no more a publicist for Murray than I was for Darnold when we were having this same conversation two years ago, and so many doubted the impact a good supporting cast can have on a still-young QB with that much arm talent. Those are some pretty interesting threads if you want to go back and read them.

If anything, I’m a publicist for the idea that “surround” is important, and a much bigger factor in the success and failure of QBs than most people think.