Quarterback Kyler Murray has officially joined the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract after parting ways with the Arizona Cardinals. The move marks a new chapter for the former No. 1 overall draft pick, who spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career in Arizona.
Minnesota signed Murray shortly after the Cardinals released him at the start of the new league year. The deal gives the Vikings an experienced quarterback option while keeping their financial risk extremely low.
Murray is expected to compete for the starting quarterback role as Minnesota reshapes its offense for the upcoming season.
Cardinals Still Paying Most of Murray’s Salary
One of the most unusual parts of Murray’s move to Minnesota is the financial situation surrounding his contract.
Even after releasing him, the Arizona Cardinals remain responsible for almost the entire salary he was scheduled to earn this season.
Kyler Murray 2026 Contract Breakdown
| Contract Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Salary owed by Cardinals | $36.8 million |
| Estimated amount Arizona will pay | About $35.5 million |
| Vikings contract value | $1.3 million |
| Contract length | 1 year |
| Special clause | No franchise tag allowed |
Because Arizona is covering most of the money, the Vikings were able to sign Murray for the league minimum salary for veteran quarterbacks.
The contract also includes a no-tag clause, which means Minnesota cannot place the franchise tag on Murray after the season. He will become a free agent again unless the team signs him to a new contract.
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Murray Excited to Join a Childhood Favorite Team
Shortly after the signing became official, Murray revealed a personal connection with the Vikings.
He shared that he grew up as a passionate Minnesota fan and even wore Vikings gear when he played youth football. One of his earliest football memories involved watching legendary quarterback Brett Favre during the famous 2009 NFC Championship Game.
Murray admitted that he cried when Favre threw a late interception in that game, showing how deeply he followed the team growing up.
Now, he finally gets the opportunity to play for the franchise he supported as a child.
Murray said he is excited for the opportunity and eager to step on the field as a Minnesota Viking.
Competition for the Starting Quarterback Job
The Vikings already have a young quarterback on the roster, which means the starting position is not guaranteed for Murray.
Minnesota’s current starter is J.J. McCarthy, who was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
McCarthy faced challenges during his first full season as a starter and also dealt with injuries.
J.J. McCarthy 2025 Season Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Started | 10 |
| Completion Percentage | 57.6% |
| Passing Yards | 1,632 |
| Touchdowns | 11 |
| Interceptions | 12 |
| Rushing TDs | 4 |
Because of these struggles, Murray could have a real chance to compete for the starting role during training camp and preseason.
Kyler Murray’s Career With the Cardinals
Kyler Murray entered the NFL with huge expectations after being selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
He quickly proved he could perform at the professional level and won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award during his first season.
Murray also made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons early in his career and helped Arizona start the 2021 season with a strong 7–0 record.
Kyler Murray Career Stats (Arizona Cardinals)
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 87 |
| Career Record | 38–48–1 |
| Passing Yards | 20,460 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 121 |
| Interceptions | 60 |
| Completion Rate | 67.1% |
| Rushing Yards | 3,193 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 32 |
Despite the early success, injuries and inconsistent team results affected Murray’s later seasons with Arizona.
Injury Struggles in Recent Seasons
In recent years, Murray has struggled to stay on the field consistently. Over the last five seasons he has completed a full schedule only once.
During the most recent season, he played just five games before landing on injured reserve with a foot injury.
Kyler Murray 2025 Season Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 5 |
| Passing Yards | 962 |
| Passing TDs | 6 |
| Interceptions | 3 |
| Rushing Yards | 173 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
These injury issues played a role in Arizona’s decision to move in a different direction.
Murray’s Emotional Farewell to Arizona
After his release, Murray posted a heartfelt message thanking the Cardinals organization, teammates and fans.
He expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him during his time in Arizona and said he always hoped to help bring a championship to the franchise.
Murray also said he believes his best football is still ahead of him and he is ready to prove it.
Kyler Murray remains one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league when healthy. His playing style combines:
- Quick passing ability
- Elite mobility
- Strong deep-ball throwing
- Playmaking outside the pocket
For Minnesota, signing Murray creates competition at the quarterback position while adding valuable experience to the roster.
If he stays healthy and performs well, Murray could revive his career and become an important part of the Vikings’ offense.
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Kyler Murray’s move to the Minnesota Vikings represents one of the most interesting quarterback storylines of the offseason. After seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, the former No. 1 overall pick now gets a fresh opportunity with a team he once supported as a young fan.
With Arizona still paying most of his salary, the Vikings have taken a low-risk chance on a talented quarterback who still has the potential to make a major impact.
The upcoming season will determine whether Murray can regain his best form and possibly secure a long-term future in Minnesota.
