In Defense of Kyler Murray
We’re considering no less than a dozen QBs to come in and solidify our QB room. Most are aging vets who’ve had previous success, and it’s uncertain whether or not they can continue that success (Cousins, Rodgers, Geno). Some are younger QBs who’ve had little to no success (Mac J, Willis, Richardson). You can add a half dozen names to one list or another: Jimmy G, Carr, Flacco, Mariota, Trubisky… But some of these names, despite not offering much upside, still come with a hefty price tag.
Meanwhile, one of our options is a former #1 overall pick. That by itself is meaningless. Bryce Young was a #1 overall pick, as was Jameis Winston. Unlike those players, though, Murray has solid numbers and a couple of Pro Bowls to go with it. Think about when we brought in Sam Darnold. Now THAT was a bust. He conjured more ghosts than a Salem seance. Viking fans everywhere were unimpressed. My point at the time was that for six years, the guy’s been driving a ’74 Pinto. What might a QB with his arm talent look like driving a sports car? The answer was pretty damn good. Do not underestimate the value of surround.
Fast forward two years and we have a similar opportunity. Except this guy hasn’t been a bust. No doubt, he has concerns surrounding his leadership and work ethic, and that might be a big problem for KOC. And if it is, so be it. Sign Geno and let’s get it on.
But if I’m KOC, I take that chance. The payoff could be enormous. Only 28, tools for days, represents the kind of running threat we’ve never had in our history. Not even Daunte or Fran could run like this guy. It’s almost unheard of for a team with this much talent to get an opportunity to sign a QB with tools like this.
And he’s a Viking fan? And you can get him for close to vet min? Sold American!
Souhan: Maybe Kyler Murray is the best fit for Vikings after all
Four numbers changed this columnist’s mind about the Cardinals quarterback coming to Minnesota.
Kyler Murray has played in the NFL for seven seasons. He has played in one playoff game, and he lost it while producing only 137 passing yards and throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns.
His team, the Arizona Cardinals, put an “independent study” clause in one of his contracts to ensure he would do his homework.
He is listed as 5-foot-10, meaning he’s probably 5-9. He may not be ideal for the Vikings offensive system, which relies on timing. Murray is often eager to scramble or run.
There are plenty of reasons to think that Murray isn’t an ideal fit for the Vikings.
There are four numbers that indicate that, whatever his flaws, he is the Vikings’ best option at quarterback for 2026.
The numbers:
$1.25 million.
67.1%.
1.
0.
The first is the NFL veteran minimum salary. Murray might be willing to play for that paltry sum because he will be paid $36.8 million by the Cardinals for the 2026 season once they cut him.
The second is Murray’s career completion percentage, the fifth-best in NFL history.
The third is where Murray was drafted, with the first pick in 2019.
The fourth is the number of assets the Vikings would have to give up to get him, zero draft picks and players.
Murray is a dynamic runner and scrambler. He throws a good deep ball. Combine those factors with his accuracy and affordability, and he is the best quarterback the Vikings could possibly land this offseason.
I don’t believe the Vikings would sign a quarterback of Murray’s ability and personality unless they wanted him to be their starter and were comfortable with J.J. McCarthy acting as a backup.
Assuming Murray wants to play in Minnesota, signing him would be a return to business as usual for the Vikings franchise. The current regime traded up in the 2024 draft to take McCarthy because they wanted to draft and develop a star quarterback for the first time since Daunte Culpepper.
Murray would not be a comfortable fit. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be the best fit.
I spent much of this offseason promoting the idea that McCarthy should be the starter and that the Vikings should find a quality, affordable backup for him.
When news broke that Murray would become available, I had to check my bias and look at the stats.
He’s accurate. He is a brilliant runner and scrambler. He’s only 29, yet has seven years of experience.
Although smaller, he is more talented than Sam Darnold, who played well for most of a season with the Vikings and just won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks.
If the Vikings decide that Murray is their best option, then Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell should alter his offense to fit Murray’s skills. That’s what good coaches do.
Murray’s red flags are brighter than the Cardinals’ red jerseys. The Vikings would be banking on him maturing, and being motivated by his previous problems and the resulting criticism.
I remain intrigued by McCarthy, but it’s difficult to forget the last game of the regular season. McCarthy had played well over the previous month and seemed to be building support within the organization. Then he left the season finale against Green Bay after aggravating an injury to his right hand.
O’Connell lauded that decision publicly. Privately, I find it hard to believe bowing out of a season finale against the Vikings’ primary rival helped McCarthy’s quest to become the unquestioned franchise quarterback.
Last season, the Vikings had one of the NFL’s worst overall quarterback performances. McCarthy improved at the end of the season, but his production was terrible. Carson Wentz wasn’t good enough. Max Brosmer wasn’t close to being good enough. And the Vikings won nine games.
Plug in a player of Murray’s capability and efficiency, and the Vikings probably would have won 11 or 12 games last season — and probably would win 11 or 12 in 2026.
STRIB
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I personally don’t think Kyler is a good fit. I think we’ve seen enough of KOC to know he’s not bending his offense much to fit the skill set of a QB. That QB needs to adapt to his system or have the skill set to flourish in it.
Kyler makes sense because he’s the most talented guy they can get on the cheap. But he’s going to have to “re-learn” how to play QB in the Vikings system. Now Kyler DOES have the talent to be good for the Vikings, but I highly doubt he has the desire to completely change how he plays QB after signing a 1 year deal. He’s gonna want to go out and be a highlight reel.
In this instance JJM has quite a bit of a leg up on Kyler. He knows what KOC requires. The question is will this motivate him to grow, mature, improve to allow him to beat out Kyler? Or is he going to see it as the Vikings giving up on him, leading him to find a way out of Minnesota?
If JJ can beat out Kyler, you have your answer at QB for the near and foreseeable future. If Kyler starts the year at QB, JJ is absolutely done in Minnesota…I could see him asking to be released.
In that scenario, the Vikings then have about 10-12 games to evaluate whether or not Kyler can adapt and work out for the Vikings. At that point they can then either move to re-sign him long term or tank for one of the QBs in the 2027 draft.
CFIAvike wrote:
I personally don’t think Kyler is a good fit. I think we’ve seen enough of KOC to know he’s not bending his offense much to fit the skill set of a QB. That QB needs to adapt to his system or have the skill set to flourish in it.Kyler makes sense because he’s the most talented guy they can get on the cheap. But he’s going to have to “re-learn” how to play QB in the Vikings system. Now Kyler DOES have the talent to be good for the Vikings, but I highly doubt he has the desire to completely change how he plays QB after signing a 1 year deal. He’s gonna want to go out and be a highlight reel.
In this instance JJM has quite a bit of a leg up on Kyler. He knows what KOC requires. The question is will this motivate him to grow, mature, improve to allow him to beat out Kyler? Or is he going to see it as the Vikings giving up on him, leading him to find a way out of Minnesota?
If JJ can beat out Kyler, you have your answer at QB for the near and foreseeable future. If Kyler starts the year at QB, JJ is absolutely done in Minnesota…I could see him asking to be released.
In that scenario, the Vikings then have about 10-12 games to evaluate whether or not Kyler can adapt and work out for the Vikings. At that point they can then either move to re-sign him long term or tank for one of the QBs in the 2027 draft.
I dont get the fan angst? JJM has about as much leverage as I do in this situation. He needs to keep grinding and stay out of social media
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
"Where else would you want to go that even sniffs Minnesota? ... Minnesota is by far the best option."
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 9, 2026
—@danorlovsky7 on Kyler Murray's potential free agency destination 🏈 pic.twitter.com/NNGgKw7A9O
purplefaithful wrote:
I dont get the fan angst? JJM has about as much leverage as I do in this situation. He needs to keep grinding and stay out of social media
No angst. Just seeing it for what it is. Kyler starting means the end of JJ McCarthy in Minnesota…it’s that simple.
Then you have to decide if Kyler can somehow be the guy in the future or if you’re starting over in 2027
CFIAvike wrote:
No angst. Just seeing it for what it is. Kyler starting means the end of JJ McCarthy in Minnesota…it’s that simple.
Then you have to decide if Kyler can somehow be the guy in the future or if you’re starting over in 2027
If they bring in Kyler for the vet minimum, I don't think that means he's automatically the starter. I think that may indicate the Vikings are being serious when they say it'll be an open competition with McCarthy. Now if they sign him for a multi-year deal with guarantees like Malik Willis just got.. then that says something different.
MAD GAINZ wrote:
If they bring in Kyler for the vet minimum, I don't think that means he's automatically the starter. I think that may indicate the Vikings are being serious when they say it'll be an open competition with McCarthy. Now if they sign him for a multi-year deal with guarantees like Malik Willis just got.. then that says something different.
The only reason he’d sign here for a 1 year vet minimum is because the Cards are still paying him this season. He’s literally not signing anywhere he’s not gonna start. He’s playing for a multi year deal in 2027.
Yes, there will be a legit competition. Either they will end up with a malcontent backup on a vet minimum one year deal with JJ seizing the job. Or they will end up with a malcontent back up QB on a rookie deal who will likely ask for a trade or release while they figure out if Kyler Murray can even fit in the Vikings offense.
supafreak84 wrote:
I don't get the smoke. Heard some interesting stats on Purple Daily. Since 2022 (last four seasons);- Murray ranked dead last out of 50 qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage on passes that traveled 25 yards or more in the air.
- In that same time period on passes that traveled 10 or more yards down field, Murray ranked 41st out of 43 qualified quarterbacks in yards per attempt, and 43rd in completion percentage.
Annnnd someone explain to me again how he is a good fit in the O'Connell offense? Like I said, if OConnell wants to dig his own grave...have at it. I really don't care at this point
Fans are desperate and are making themselves believe in fairy tales rather than staying the course. I kinda get it but like— he’s made TEN starts. And we won like half.
comet52 wrote:
Market update - currently 7/10 chance of Kyler to the Vikings. $420k volume, biggest player>next team market currently on the platform:
I just have a hard time believing the Vikings want JJM relegated to the bench in 26...I'm cooling on the notion this is the direction they want to go.
I think they like Smith a bunch and thats what happens here while Murray goes to ATL or CLE. I dont think he'll see the Jets as an opportunity team tbh
Edit: Tua to ATL
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
CFIAvike wrote:
No angst. Just seeing it for what it is. Kyler starting means the end of JJ McCarthy in Minnesota…it’s that simple.
Then you have to decide if Kyler can somehow be the guy in the future or if you’re starting over in 2027
This ^
comet52 wrote:
Market update - currently 7/10 chance of Kyler to the Vikings. $420k volume, biggest player>next team market currently on the platform:
StickierBuns wrote:
Its going to be very interesting to see where Murray goes. Last night, Jordan Addison was on Instagram defending JJM saying '9 is going to be a star' and that fans were 'dumb' that didn't get that. I think the players love the kid but also wants to see him take the next step.....hard to do that from the bench.
Thats my thinking too...He's already started 10 games, won games. Its not very intuitive for me to believe watching will help him more then playing at this point.
I dont have a deep seated belief in Murray pulling off what Uncle Sammy did either. I just dont.
I'll get behind him if thats the way it goes, but under protest of some degree.
They better not F this up.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
I just have a hard time believing the Vikings want JJM relegated to the bench in 26...I'm cooling on the notion this is the direction they want to go.
I think they like Smith a bunch and thats what happens here while Murray goes to ATL or CLE. I dont think he'll see the Jets as an opportunity team tbh
Edit: Tua to ATL
Its going to be very interesting to see where Murray goes. Last night, Jordan Addison was on Instagram defending JJM saying '9 is going to be a star' and that fans were 'dumb' that didn't get that. I think the players love the kid but also wants to see him take the next step.....hard to do that from the bench.
StickierBuns wrote:
Its going to be very interesting to see where Murray goes. Last night, Jordan Addison was on Instagram defending JJM saying '9 is going to be a star' and that fans were 'dumb' that didn't get that. I think the players love the kid but also wants to see him take the next step.....hard to do that from the bench.
Adding to the equation is that the Vikings only have the upcoming 2026 season remaining before they have to make a decision on JJM's fifth-year option. Though JJM's fifth year won't be until 2028, teams have to make the decision one year prior and usually it's May 1st.
So May 2027 the Vikings will have to make that decision. If the Vikings pick up the fifth-year option, it becomes fully guaranteed for the 2028 season. If the Vikings choose not to pick up the fifth-year option then JJM's rookie contract ends at the end of the 2027 season.
JJM needs to play this season.
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