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Kyler Murray’s Situation May Be Vikings Savior
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- Kyler Murray’s Situation May Be Vikings Savior
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
J.J. McCarthy isn't facing a death sentence with the Minnesota Vikings. There's no denying he was objectively terrible in virtually every facet last season. That's not entirely unexpected after missing his entire rookie year with a knee injury and struggling to stay on the field in 2025.
It would be malpractice to allow McCarthy another opportunity to waste a season of Justin Jefferson's prime. Opting into that reality also likely costs Kevin O'Connell his job. The head coach isn't dumb, and neither are those left within the building.
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Kyler Murray Enters the Vikings' QB Conversation
Unfortunately, with a cap space problem and capable quarterbacks not growing on trees, there isn't a straightforward answer to address the elephant in the room. Or…there wasn't. The Arizona Cardinals fixed that on Wednesday .
Oct 24, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Houston Texans in the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kyler Murray is going to be released at the outset of the new league year, and the oft-mismanaged Cardinals will pay him more than $36 million to go away. That means they are footing virtually the entire bill for whoever signs him next.
Set to make around $2 million in 2026 on a veteran minimum deal, Murray can turn his focus to where the opportunity to rehabilitate his career exists. He already has a clue, too.
There has been very little secrecy about the Minnesota Vikings' interest in Kyler Murray. Needing to trade for him would have complicated factors, but paying him pennies on the dollar is Arizona doing them an unintended favor.
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In a division where Jordan Love is making $55 million a year , Caleb Williams is making nearly $11 million in his third season, and Jared Goff accounts for a $70 million cap hit , Minnesota immediately finds itself in the best position. Murray is not only objectively a better player than all of that trio in the Vikings stadium, but not hogging the cap space is a massive benefit, too.
Former OU quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray pose for a photo during halftime of Saturday's spring game in Norman. © NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
The former Arizona Cardinals signal-caller has showcased his skills at a high level plenty of times. He's completed more than 67% of his passes over the course of his career and has 121 touchdowns to his ledger. He was saddled with poor talent around him and an even more poorly run organization.
You can bet Murray signing with the Vikings will excite him more than any Call of Duty release to date. It should be something Minnesota fans are dropping in for as well.
