Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
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(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
The QB target wishlist for the Minnesota Vikings is beginning to take shape as free agency approaches. On March 2,ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the Arizona Cardinals informed Kyler Murray that it plans to release him on March 11, when the new league year begins, barring a trade.
Furthermore, the report notes that the former No. 1 pick’s preference is to be released, allowing him to test the market and find a team that can help him bounce back.
Murray already had $36.8 million locked in for 2026. Hewas also set to have another $19.5 million for 2027 become fully guaranteed if he remained on the roster on March 16, the fifth day of the 2026 league year.
With speculation surrounding Murray and the Vikings growing amid the player’s expected release, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert revealed where Minnesota stands with Murray.
“Kyler Murray is at or near the top of the Vikings’ QB wish list this offseason,”Seifert wrote on X on March 3. “This news brings him one step closer to the open market.”
Murray has played seven seasons for Arizona, throwing for 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns,per StatMuse. It will be interesting to see if any of the potential that he flashed with the Cardinals couldbe revived with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, should Minnesota go that route.
Would Kyler Murray Be a fit for the Vikings?
Amid the speculation, ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky says Murray in Minnesota is one possibility he likes but doesn’t love.
“I like Kyler Murray in Minnesota,”Orlovsky said on the March 2 edition of “NFL Live.” “I don’t love Kyler Murray in Minnesota, and this is the reason why. Kyler Murray, in his own words, has said, ‘I still want to be a playmaker.
“I remember calling Monday Night Football last year and having conversations with Kyler Murray, and how do we get better as an offense? He’s like, ‘I need the ball in my hands more. I need to go be a playmaker and use my legs more to impact the game.‘That’s not really how this offense is built to be played. It’s not really how Kevin O’Connell wants his quarterback to play.”
Should Minnesota Look at Other QB Options?
Moreover, Orlovsky went into further detail as to why Murray might not be the right QB for Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.
“He wants his quarterback to be the point guard, “ Orlovsky added. “I just need you to be average because everything else is going to be above average. The question is, will Kyler Murray get to that? Would he be willing to do that in trying to repair his reputation? Because I would tell you, talent-wise, no question, give me Kyler Murray over Geno Smith with where they are right now.
“Stylistically, I’d probably tell you, give me Geno Smith over Kyler Murray. Yeah, because he can be that point guard. Geno Smith has been that. He’s been more willing to be that in rhythm, in timing, pocket passer, allow the offense the star rather than me.”