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Former Packers Passer Knows the Right QB for Vikings
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- Former Packers Passer Knows the Right QB for Vikings
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Kurt Benkert , who played for the Green Bay Packers five years ago, thinks he has cracked the offseason code for the Minnesota Vikings : find a way to get quarterback Kyler Murray .
Murray buzz around the Vikings keeps building, and a former Packers passer is publicly pointing to that fit.
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Murray is currently the Arizona Cardinals ' QB1, but per popular consensus, that franchise could move on from him after seven seasons, especially with a new head coach, Mike LaFleur, in the saddle. If so, Benkert wants to see Murray in purple and gold.
Kurt Benkert Sees Kyler Murray as a Vikings Match
This isn't the first time Murray has been connected to the Vikings in the last several weeks.
Kyler Murray (1) moves through warmups at State Farm Stadium before Arizona's matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, with Nov 27, 2022 marking another high-volume stretch for the Cardinals quarterback as he sharpened footwork and timing ahead of kickoff in Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports.
Benkert on Murray + MIN
Benkert didn't get too deep in the weeds on this particular recommendation; he fired off a straightforward tweet endorsing the Vikings' pursuit of Murray.
He posted on Tuesday, "Kyler Murray would be incredible for the Vikings."
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Vikings fans — for unknown reasons — have an aversion to Murray, and used the comment section under Benkert's tweet to table the idea. Most do not want Murray in Minnesota. They evidently think he's lazy and unproductive, despite his career numbers telling a markedly different story.
How to Get Him
The Cardinals' front office and LaFleur may opt for something new at quarterback in the desert, meaning Murray could be on the trade block. Arizona basically has about a month to decide on the next steps for Murray; otherwise, more guaranteed money will be solidified against the books.
And since it's known that Arizona may move on for Murray, his trade price isn't as high as one might expect. The Vikings or another quarterback-hungry team can probably send a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder to the Cardinals via trade. His new general manager might then turn around and rework Murray's contract, including an extension that spreads the money out.
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There's also a small chance that the Cardinals release Murray and absorb a nasty dead cap hit, which would probably trigger a mad dash for his services on the open market.
Arizona Sports ' Tyler Drake on Murray's future in Arizona : "Already set to make $36.8 million in 2026, Murray can see another $19.5 million become guaranteed for 2027 if the quarterback is still on the Cardinals' roster by the fifth day of the new league (March 15), according to OverTheCap. A release before June 1 would trigger $54.7 million in dead cap, while a post-June 1 release would space that money out across two seasons."
"The dead money hit would be hefty, though it's nowhere near what the Denver Broncos took on ($85 million) for the release of Russell Wilson in 2024. Still, getting a trade done remains the best route — even if there's little coming back the Cardinals' way. On top of getting something in return for dealing Murray, the Cardinals would also limit the dead money hit to $17.9 million while opening up $34.7 million in cap savings."
ESPN's Benjamin Solak claimed this week that Murray will be shipped elsewhere for a 4th-, 5th-, 6th, or 7th-Round pick, mainly due to his large contract.
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Drake added, "All it takes is a bidding war to up Murray's value. Arizona potentially taking on more dead money may be just the push it needs. But would a team even bother entertaining a potential trade if it knows Murray and the Cardinals are headed for a split and could potentially land the quarterback for less on the open market ?"
"Either way, there's no shortage of potential landing areas, with Solak listing nine other teams who could use another arm on their roster."
The Stats
Murray has played with the league's eighth-worst defense over the past two seasons, while Minnesota boasts the NFL's best.
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Defense Ranking per EPA/Play
,
Since 2024:
Vikings: 1st
Cardinals: 25th
Murray currently averages 235 passing yards, 37 rushing yards, and 1.75 total touchdowns per game. Maintaining this production with a top-three defense for two straight seasons would likely improve his efficiency. The Vikings' defensive structure would reduce the weekly volatility Murray is accustomed to, allowing him to capitalize on situational opportunities rather than constantly playing catch-up.
Kurt Benkert (7) casually balances a football during pregame routines at Highmark Stadium, where Aug 28, 2021 served as a preseason tune-up for the Packers quarterback before facing the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.
All told, the average season for Murray by the numbers looks like this:
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3,997Passing Yards
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30Total Touchdowns
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11INTs
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67.1%Completion
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623Rushing Yards
Not bad.
The Fit and the Fandom
Murray owns the fifth-highest completion percentage in NFL history, ran a 4.38 forty leading up to the 2019 NFL Draft, and can throw the ball 65 to 70 yards. If someone tells you, "Kyler Murray doesn't fit Kevin O'Connell's offense," it means O'Connell's offense is inflexible and not very useful in the first place. Murray having too much accuracy, speed, and arm strength for a certain offense is absolutely ludicrous.
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Meanwhile, it's documented knowledge that Murray grew up cheering for the Vikings . While not a smoking gun to end all smoking guns, it doesn't hurt in would-be trade negotiations. What player wouldn't want to play for the team he loved growing up?
Kyler Murray (1) goes through throwing drills at State Farm Stadium prior to Arizona's clash with the Chargers, as Nov 27, 2022 reflected another pivotal outing in Glendale while the Cardinals prepared for an interconference challenge. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.
It's a matter of whether O'Connell and Co. are willing to demote McCarthy. If they are not, Murray is not the guy for Minnesota, and a veteran backup like Joe Flacco or Jimmy Garoppolo probably makes more sense.
But Benkert thinks Minnesota should roll with Murray.
