There is one name NFL insiders continue to mention when it comes to the quarterback the Vikings will pursue this offseason: Kyler Murray. This might not be popular with many, but there seems to be a growing sentiment the first pick in the 2019 draft would be a good fit in Minnesota.
Last week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said this of Murray to the Vikings: “He would be one of the top quarterbacks available via trade or release if that goes down, and most around the league do expect that to go down, and he’ll be available. He’s got the high guarantees of nearly $40 million, all of that triggers by mid-March. So, they have to come to a resolution here in the coming weeks. He wants to go to a winner. … So, you figure maybe Minnesota could be an option for him. We’ll see what happens.”
On Monday, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated compared what Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell did with Sam Darnold in 2024 to what could happen with Murray. “When I look at Kyler, it would be a landing spot like (Minnesota),” Breer said.
While Murray likely would welcome the opportunity to join the Vikings and escape the dysfunction of Arizona, this isn’t exactly an apples-to-apples comparison to what happened with Darnold — at least not from a contractual standpoint.
The Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract in March 2024 after he became a free agent following a season as the backup in San Francisco.
Murray, meanwhile, is set to get a fully guaranteed $19.5 million for 2027 on March 15 — the fifth day of the NFL’s new league year. The Cardinals, who hired Mike LaFleur as their new coach this month, would have to take on at least $17.9 million in dead salary-cap space if they dealt Murray.
It’s unclear what type of draft pick Arizona could get for Murray — agreeing to retain more of his contract would help — but it’s difficult to imagine the Vikings, or any other team, would be willing to give up a high pick for someone Arizona wants to replace. The Vikings also are over the salary cap and taking on Murray’s contract could create an issue.
Of course, the Cardinals could find there is no trade partner for Murray and end up cutting him. This would put the team on the hook for a $54.7 million dead cap hit and allow Murray’s new employer to sign him to a more reasonable contract.
There still would be plenty of questions to answer when it comes to Murray becoming a Viking. Murray, who signed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with Arizona in July 2022 after leading the Cardinals to one winning season in his first three years, hasn’t finished above .500 as a starter since getting the new deal. A torn ACL in December 2022 forced Murray to miss the final four games of the season and the first nine games of 2023.
After playing in all 17 games in 2024, Murray appeared in only five this season before suffering a foot injury that ended his year. He has played only one full season since 2020 and missed 21 games over the past three years. The main concern would be how much Murray relies on scrambling, and the fact that increases the risk of injury.
Considering the Vikings already have had to deal with J.J. McCarthy’s injury issues, having another injury-prone QB might not be ideal. And that wouldn’t be the only concern.
When Murray signed his contract extension nearly five years ago, there was a much-publicized “independent study” clause included that required him to spend four hours a week doing unmonitored film study and specifically prohibited distractions such as video games.
Call it the “Call of Duty” clause, considering Murray’s affinity for playing the game is well known. He even partnered with the company that produces Call of Duty in 2024. The Cardinals removed the clause after facing backlash, but the fact it was there in the first place is certain to make it something that would have to be broached in discussions.