Kyler Murray is moving up north to sign a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, following his release from the Arizona Cardinals, as reported by various sources.
Currently, he faces tough competition from J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Though, it’s worth noting that Murray’s own career didn’t exactly start off smoothly.
The Cardinals are still responsible for Murray’s $36.8 million, reflecting a veteran minimum deal for Minnesota. This arrangement appears to be a low-risk, potentially high-reward situation for head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Murray met with the Vikings on Thursday, and sources suggest he wouldn’t have left without sealing a deal.
Even with McCarthy entering his third year in 2026, the Vikings seemed to be leading the race to sign Murray.
McCarthy didn’t play his rookie year due to a season-ending injury during the preseason, but he did make his NFL debut in 2025. Unfortunately, he, too, faced injury issues, despite finishing with a 6-4 record in ten games.
With Murray’s arrival, McCarthy’s future as the starting quarterback now appears uncertain.
Looking back, Murray’s record with the Cardinals was quite a rollercoaster ride, totaling 38 wins, 48 losses, and 1 tie over 87 games. He issued an apology to the Cardinals’ fanbase last week, confirming his release despite still being owed $36.8 million from a hefty extension signed in 2022.
In his message on X, he expressed gratitude to fans and reflected on the disappointment of not breaking the organization’s long-standing drought. “I’m sorry to have let us down,” he wrote, sending his best wishes to the community and his teammates.
Murray emphasized, “I’m used to adversity. I’m ready for whatever comes next.” He remains hopeful about his career, stating he believes his best days are ahead.
Last season, Murray played just five games, achieving a 2-3 record while throwing six touchdowns and three interceptions before a foot injury ended his season. Jacoby Brissett took over and performed admirably, throwing for a career-high 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns, although the Cardinals had a dismal overall record of 3-14.
The organization decided to make changes, letting go of head coach Jonathan Gannon and hiring Mike LaFleur, previously the offensive coordinator for the Rams, for 2026.
During his earlier years with Arizona, Murray did show promise, earning back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021. In 2021, he threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns while also rushing for 423 yards and five touchdowns, emphasizing his dual-threat capabilities.
Nonetheless, injuries have plagued his career—he tore his ACL in Week 14 of the 2022 season and missed considerable time the following year. After finally completing a full season in 2024, he encountered another setback with a foot injury.
As Murray adjusts to his new role with the Vikings, the Pittsburgh Steelers are anticipating Aaron Rodgers’ return. They’re also waiting to see if Mike McCarthy will take the reins as their new head coach.
