{"id":787911,"date":"2026-03-03T00:58:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T00:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/787911\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T00:58:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T00:58:19","slug":"a-trade-probably-wont-be-needed-for-vikings-to-land-top-qb-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/787911\/","title":{"rendered":"A Trade Probably Won\u2019t Be Needed for Vikings to Land Top QB Option"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Minnesota Vikings have approximately 25-30 quarterback options in the open market this offseason, as the franchise seeks to add veteran oomph behind third-year passer J.J. McCarthy. Near the top of the list lives Kyler Murray<\/a> of the Arizona Cardinals, and according to reports, Minnesota won\u2019t even need to trade draft capital to get him.<\/p>\n

A release would let Minnesota pursue Murray while keeping draft capital intact for roster upgrades elsewhere.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s becoming increasingly likely that Arizona will flat-out release the 28-year-old.<\/p>\n

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A Kyler Murray Release Would Change Minnesota\u2019s Plan<\/p>\n

Minnesota\u2019s quarterback choice nears.<\/p>\n

\"Kyler<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks on during pregame warmups before facing the Cleveland Browns at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Dec. 15, 2019. Murray prepared on the field as Arizona readied for the late-season matchup at home against Cleveland. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

Murray Likely to Be Released, Not Traded<\/p>\n

Talking on ESPN airwaves, former NFLer Booger McFarlan opined on Murray late last week<\/a>, \u201cRealistically, I don\u2019t think anybody\u2019s going to trade for Kyler Murray. He\u2019s gotten to a point right now where when you look at him as a 5\u2019-10\u2033-maybe quarterback who struggled throwing from the pocket. Yeah, he\u2019s athletic, but he\u2019s been hurt. I just think the market for him to go to another team is going to be small.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s clear the Arizona Cardinals don\u2019t want Murray anymore. So, asking Monti Ossenfort<\/a> to go into his David Copperfield hat and pull something out, I think I know he\u2019s good. I don\u2019t think he can do magic. So, to ask him to go and pull out a third, a fourth, or a fifth-round pick, I don\u2019t know if you can give Murray away right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Revenge of the Birds\u2018 Barry Schuck added, \u201cThe ESPN Insiders are giving Murray a 5% chance of Murray getting traded to any NFL club. Rumors regarding moving him began right before the NFL trade deadline<\/a> last year, but that came and went.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole roadblock is that mammoth contract Murray was given that every Arizona fan shouted was a huge mistake at the time of the signing. This story appears to be getting some footing regarding Murray wanting his outright release. And now, it appears some of it is coming from the Murray camp itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Basically a Free QB in 2026<\/p>\n

Murray signed the mega $230 million extension in 2022, and his guaranteed money has not run out. Put plainly, he\u2019s still owed $36.8 million from the Cardinals \u2014 no matter what. Typically in the situation, because it\u2019s not secret leaguewide that the player has been paid, the man signs a small contract with his new team after the release.<\/p>\n

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For example, in 2024, when the Denver Broncos<\/a> cut ties with Russell Wilson, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers for just over a million bucks because Denver had paid him for that season. That\u2019s what\u2019s going on with Murray in this scenario.<\/p>\n

A trade, on the other hand, would put Minnesota, or any other team, on the hook for Murray\u2019s remaining contract. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so crucial for Arizona to release him \u2014 if you want your favorite team to snatch Murray. A roster cut makes Murray free in NFL speak for 2026.<\/p>\n

All the Tools<\/p>\n

If Minnesota\u2019s choice is between Murray and a lower-ceiling bridge quarterback, the superior option is clear. Murray\u2019s statistics speak for themselves. Over a 17-game season, he averages roughly 3,997 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, 11 interceptions, a 67.1% completion rate, and 623 rushing yards.<\/p>\n

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Moreover, his career EPA+CPOE surpasses those of Baker Mayfield<\/a> and Trevor Lawrence, demonstrating consistent production over multiple seasons.<\/p>\n

\"Kyler<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray sits in the front row as Jonathan Gannon is introduced as head coach at the team facility in Tempe, Arizona, Feb. 16, 2023. Murray attended the news conference as the organization outlined its new leadership direction. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, Murray has reached the playoffs only once in his seven years with Arizona. His team\u2019s record hasn\u2019t always reflected his individual talent.<\/p>\n

But Murray possesses undeniable skills. He can throw the ball 65\u201370 yards, previously ran a 4.38, and demonstrates exceptional accuracy. He\u2019s far more than just a novelty or a limited passer.<\/p>\n

While he might not be a seamless fit for Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s system, the decision hinges on the alternatives. If the Vikings\u2019 choice is between Murray and a quarterback in the mold of Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a>, the potential outcomes are vastly different \u2014 a point even Murray\u2019s detractors would likely concede.<\/p>\n

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Will Vikings Recognize the Value?<\/p>\n

Then, the main event: the Vikings must decide if Murray\u2019s so-called aloof attitude is a legitimate character defect or a product of the Cardinals\u2019 culture. The NFLPA leaked the annual report cards<\/a> last week, and Arizona\u2019s ownership received an \u2018F\u2019 grade.<\/p>\n

\"Kevin<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, Mar. 1, 2023. O\u2019Connell met with media and league personnel as Minnesota evaluated draft prospects and offseason priorities. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.<\/p>\n

Some fans have also questioned Murray\u2019s scheme fit within O\u2019Connell\u2019s system. He\u2019s not elite by the numbers throwing over the middle; can O\u2019Connell accommodate Murray\u2019s strengths, or will he remain rigid enough to tell the guy with 4.38 speed, supreme arm strength, and elite passing accuracy \u2026 no thanks.<\/p>\n

If the Cardinals drop Murray, making him suddenly free to 31 teams, the Vikings, needing a quarterback, almost have to sign him due to the value.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Minnesota Vikings have approximately 25-30 quarterback options in the open market this offseason, as the franchise seeks…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":787912,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2078],"tags":[375,390,2604,1842,1327,54,258,7,7841,4827,9737,259,6,57,572,314],"class_list":{"0":"post-787911","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arizona-cardinals","8":"tag-arizona","9":"tag-arizona-cardinals","10":"tag-arizonacardinals","11":"tag-baker-mayfield","12":"tag-cardinals","13":"tag-cleveland-browns","14":"tag-denver-broncos","15":"tag-football","16":"tag-jimmy-garoppolo","17":"tag-kyler-murray","18":"tag-mandatory-credit","19":"tag-minnesota-vikings","20":"tag-nfl","21":"tag-pittsburgh-steelers","22":"tag-russell-wilson","23":"tag-trevor-lawrence"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116162536701541982","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=787911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/787912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=787911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=787911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=787911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}