{"id":851733,"date":"2026-04-03T18:24:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:24:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851733\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T18:24:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:24:21","slug":"kyler-murray-sends-message-after-vikings-qb-reality-check","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/851733\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyler Murray Sends Message After Vikings QB Reality Check"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Kyler\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Vikings<\/a> have yet to make anything official, but all signs point to Kyler Murray<\/a> taking the reins as QB1. That leaves the future of 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy<\/a> as a source of intrigue.<\/p>\n

Murray has leaned into his new chapter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Vikings have the kind of infrastructure that should facilitate a bounce-back season for the former No. 1 overall pick (2019).<\/p>\n

Kyler Murray Shares Strong Message\"Kyler<\/p>\n

GettyKyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Murray has been a polarizing figure, with his talent on the field drawing praise, but questions about work ethic continue to follow the Vikings\u2019 new QB.<\/p>\n

\u201cNowadays we can\u2019t even find common ground, but if they ask you what I haven\u2019t done\u2026not a sound,\u201d Murray captioned<\/a> a post featuring a series of images that he shared to his Instagram on April 3.<\/p>\n

Murray\u2019s custom Lamborghini Revuelto was the co-star of the shoot.<\/p>\n

Murray, 28, has a similar dual-threat skill set as McCarthy, but is far more proven. He was the Offensive Rookie of the Year and is a two-time Pro Bowler.<\/p>\n

Murray completed 68.8% of his passes for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his last full season with the Arizona Cardinals<\/a>. That was in 2024. He has a 20,460-121-60 line on 67.1% completion for his career.<\/p>\n

However, durability is a concern for Murray, who is undersized for the position.<\/p>\n

He has logged one full regular-season slate since 2020, appearing in 55 of a possible 85 games in that span. That is a trend that Murray and the Vikings must overcome.<\/p>\n

Kyler Murray Sparks Flurry of Reactions\"Kyler<\/p>\n

GettyKyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on against the Green Bay Packers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Murray\u2019s post drew a slew of reactions from current Vikings and former Cardinals teammates in the comment section.<\/p>\n

Vikings teammate and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.<\/a> posted Snapped [fingers crossed emoji].<\/p>\n

Former Cardinals teammate and wide receiver Xavier Weaver<\/a>, fellow wideout Diontae Johnson<\/a>, and Murray\u2019s former Oklahoma Sooners teammate and NFL running back Trey Sermon<\/a> all shared emojis in support of the quarterback.<\/p>\n

Cardinals running back Emari DeMercado<\/a> posted, \u201cChill out\u201d with laughing face a fire emojis,\u201d while fellow RB Michael Carter<\/a> said, \u201cu tweaked w this one ngl [fire emojis].\u201d<\/p>\n

There were also some Batman references. Fitting, given the look of Murray\u2019s ride.<\/p>\n

Kyler Murray\u2019s Arrival a Flashpoint for J.J. McCarthy\"J.J.<\/p>\n

GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Murray\u2019s persona is vastly different from the one that McCarthy has shown so far. His approach is just one aspect of why his arrival is\u2013or at least should be\u2013a wake-up call for the former 10th overall pick.<\/p>\n

Former Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph<\/a> can see it both ways. The move could spark McCarthy. It could also be the first step toward moving away from a player Minnesota traded up to draft.<\/p>\n

It all depends on what direction the team wants to go.<\/p>\n

\u201cUltimately doing the Sam Darnold<\/a> coming to Minnesota to maybe revive a stalled career, because you still believe that if someone comes and beats out J.J., there is still an opportunity for J.J. to be your franchise quarterback,\u201d Rudolph told Forbes\u2019 DJ Siddiqi<\/a> in an interview published on April 1. \u201cIf you\u2019re saying maybe J.J. is not our guy and we want to go all in, we have a roster to win right now. So certainly it\u2019ll be interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n

McCarthy is under contract<\/a> through at least the 2027 season. Murray is on a one-year deal, potentially leaving the Vikings in a similar situation next offseason.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tJosh Buckhalter<\/a> covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He’s based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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