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(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
The Vikings got the news they’ve been waiting for; the Arizona Cardinals will be releasing QB Kyler Murray.
Cardinals to Release QB Kyler Murray; Vikings Will Have Interest
GettyCHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 02: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals and Baker Mayfield #6 of the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images).
Adam Schefter broke the news on X.
“Sources: Cardinals have informed QB Kyler Murray that they intend to release him on the first day of the league year next Wednesday, barring a trade between now and then.
Arizona already owes him $36.8M guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5M would have triggered on March 15 for 2027. He now will be moving on.”
This was an expected move, but now it means Minnesota may not have to actually trade for Murray. The release also opens up the possibility of the Vikings signing Murray at a heavily discounted rate.
Whoever signs Murray will be able to do so for the league minimum. This is similar to when Russell Wilson signed with the Steelers after being release from the Broncos.
Other teams that could be in the mix are the Jets and Dolphins.
Murray Bids Farewell to Arizona
Kyler Murray sent out a social media post bidding farewell to the Cardinals and their fans.
“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us.
I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best. I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.”
Minnesota Has Tagovailoa “On Their Radar”
GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins warms up before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently worked on a piece for the publication. In this piece, he and Dan Graziano went over some QB options for the Vikings. Per the two gentlemen, there are many signal callers on their radar. Included are Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, and Tua Tagovailoa.
Fowler touched on the possibility of Tua being cut loose by Miami and coming to the Vikings.
“I’ve also heard that the Vikings are considering Murray and Smith as they outline their veteran quarterback plan. Tua Tagovailoa and Cousins are also on their radar. Some I’ve talked to are breaking those four into two tiers, with Murray and Smith in the first group.
None of those quarterbacks are free agents, but Cousins will be soon, and the others are available via either a trade or a release. The expectation leaguewide is that a combination of Murray, Smith and Tagovailoa — and possibly all three — will be free agents soon enough, barring intensified trade talks. And many quarterbacks view Minnesota as an attractive destination.”
A lot of possibilities are on the table for the Minnesota Vikings. It is up to them if they are going to commit to someone externally, or ride with J.J. McCarthy.
Brevan Bane Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane
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