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MN Vikings’ Top QB Target in No Rush – Plans to Flirt Around
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- MN Vikings’ Top QB Target in No Rush – Plans to Flirt Around
Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
When are the Minnesota Vikings going to sign their new quarterback? That's the one and only question that fans currently care about, and who can blame them?
The NFL negotiating period began nearly 24 hours ago. All the Vikings have to show for it (so far) is a handshake agreement with depth cornerback, James Pierre, who's reportedly signing for $3.7 million guaranteed.
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I'm not here to tell you to relax, but there's a reason why the Vikings were have been so quiet. First and foremost, they don't have any money to spend. And when it comes to Minnesota's much anticipated QB acquisition, it's important to note that their top targets — Kyler Murray and Geno Smith — are not currently available.
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Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
Kyler is still on the Arizona Cardinals' roster, just like Geno remains employed by the Las Vegas Raiders. Because both players have guaranteed money remaining on their respective contracts, neither can be officially released until the start of the league year — Wednesday, 3 p.m. CDT.
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Kyler Murray in no rush to choose new team
But even then, Tom Pelissero (NFL Network) is cautioning Vikings fans who might be holding their collective breath Wednesday afternoon. This is the first time Kyler has been a free agent during his NFL career , and he's going to sign a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum.
Thus, it makes sense that Murray wants to virtually visit with teams face-to-face, before making a decision on where he'll attempt to turn around his career. That's not his only agenda this week, however.
According to Pelissero, not only does Kyler Murray want to find the right spot for 2026, he plans to use this opportunity as a testing grounds for free agency 2027, as well.
Per @TomPelissero , Kyler Murray is in no rush to sign with a new team when he is released tomorrow (start of the new league year) — at which point he plans to hold virtual visits with interested teams.
"For Kyler Murray though, don't expect that it's quite like Tua where, at… https://t.co/FKXgPPTz50 pic.twitter.com/ubyLVtRM1F— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) March 10, 2026
"For Kyler Murray though, don't expect that it's quite like Tua where, at 4:01 he's released and, at 4:05 he's got a new team. Kyler Murray has not had a chance to interface with very many teams since he was back in the pre-draft process in 2019. He has never been a free agent."
"And given the fact that Kyler is going to take a 1 year minimum contract… it makes sense for him to, in essence, preview the 2027 free agent process… So I would anticipate, and if I'm his agent, I'm probably saying, all right, let's hear multiple pitches."
Essentially, the 28-year-old former No. 1 overall pick wants to get a feel for which teams might be interested in paying him big next year, should he have the bounceback season he's hoping for, wherever he lands in 2026
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Kyler Murray keeping options open for 2026 and beyond
What does that mean for the Minnesota Vikings' offseason QB quest , and going forward? Well, it probably tells us that Kyler Murray is very much keeping 2027 free agency as a likely option for his future, no matter where he signs now.
That doesn't eliminate him from being the Vikings' QB of the present and future. It does, however, seem the Vikings haven't promised Kyler or his agency anything this season or beyond — other than a legit QB competition for the starting job in 2026.
"He will fully evaluate his options. Certainly, I anticipate there will be mutual interest between the Vikings and Kyler Murray. I would even say that the Vikings are the favorite for Kyler Murray, but this might take a day or two until we have something final.
If it is in Minnesota, we immediately get one of the fascinating quarterback competitions in the NFL for 2026, when it will be Kyler Murray, the former number one pick, going up against the Vikings' former first round pick, JJ McCarthy in Minnesota."
Given what we know about Kevin O'Connell and Rob Brzezinski , there is no reason to believe Murray's face-to-face interaction with the MN Vikings Wednesday will turn him off.
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Minnesota Vikings future still unknown…
But until the two sides actually speak, it's clear fans shouldn't put their orders in for any No. 1 Kyler Murray jerseys just yet. Pelissero, along with other reporters around the league, still have the Minnesota Vikings pegged as the favorite to ultimately land their reported top QB target.
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But just like Kyler, they have their backup options, starting with Geno Smith — then to Kirk Cousins and even Aaron Rodgers , should they be forced to look that far down their list.
Other 2026 QB hungry teams that could be on Kyler Murray's interview itinerary this week include the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns
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