Kyler Murray - Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Two new quarterback options for the Minnesota Vikings in 2026 became more available on Tuesday.
It started when the Indianapolis Colts placed the transition tag on Daniel Jones — which allows other teams (like the Vikings) submit offer sheets, in an attempt to lure him out of Indy. The Colts will still have the right to match any offers, though.
Shortly after Daniel Jones was tagged, the Arizona Cardinals notified Kyler Murray of their plans release him. Unlike with Jones, the football world knew what was coming with Murray.
And now that it’s official, his path to Minnesota is a lot less cluttered than Jones, which is one reason why rumors connecting Murray to the Vikings have been flowing so heavy.
Kyler Murray badly wants to play for Minnesota Vikings
And if there were any doubts over whether or not the 28-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick wants to play in Minnesota, Vikings VOX KFAN radio host Paul Allen put those to bed Tuesday morning.
On his weekday morning radio show 92Noon!, PA revealed a conversation he had at the combine with someone he trusts outside the Vikings organization and local media market, who told him that Kyler Murray “badly” wants to land in Minnesota
PA:”The only Kyler Murray related conversation I had with somebody off the microphone in Indianapolis — and I really don’t like doing this because I’m not going to say the person’s name. So we’re sourcing here.”
“I was told Kyler Murray…for whatever the reason, really wants to play here.
Producer:”He wants to [play for the Vikings]?”
PA: “Yes, he wants to… badly. And I was told that by somebody who eighty five percent would know, and not locally. So do I need to wrap my mind around Kyler Murray?”
92Noon! – KFAN Radio
Of course, it takes two to tango. But as mentioned above, the Minnesota Vikings have been tied to Kyler Murray more the last week than any other quarterback expected to be available.
Throw in the fact that Murray is expected to sign on a veteran minimum contract, since he is being paid nearly $40 million from the Cardinals this season… then it’s no surprise the Vikings plan to at least reach out and kick the tires on Kyler, likely more than that.
Vikings + Murray talks expected to heat up this week
In fact, Alec Lewis (The Athletic) reported Wednesday morning that the Vikings are expected to have “serious conversations” with Murray, but that their interest has been well-known around league circles for a while.
Over at CBS Sports, Jonathan Jones reported today that conversations between the Vikings and Murray are about to “heat up”, especially if they can’t clear enough cap space to sign Daniel Jones.
The Vikings are expected to have serious discussions this week about Murray. But he has already been on their radar. They’re in the market for an experienced, productive and reliable starter who isn’t going to break the bank. Murray addresses a lot of those issues.
Alec Lewis – The Athletic
The Colts locked in Daniel Jones with the transition tag Tuesday, and as I wrote earlier this week that does not preclude a team like the Vikings to pursue him. But if the Vikings can’t clear the cap space — and because the Colts hold first-refusal rights for Jones — the name circulating the strongest around Minnesota is quarterback Kyler Murray.
Jonathan Jones – CBS Sports
Related: Vikings Settle for iDL in Trusted Mock Draft; Talented Ducks Now Out of Reach
However, there is still reason to be skeptical that Kyler Murray ultimately wears a Minnesota Vikings uniform. First and foremost, his playmaking style does not fit Kevin O’Connell’s timing-based offense.
Yes, he would give KOC aa QB who can be elite off play action AND offer a scramble/running threat we haven’t seen in Minnesota since… ever. But if you can’t play on-time, that is when the head coach seems to get the most flustered.
Everyone hates on Kyler Murray for no reason…
Three Healthy Seasons (16+ Games Played)
– 2024: QB10
– 2020: QB3
– 2019: QB6
And in Three Other Injured Seasons with 8+ Games Played…
He averaged 20.3 Fantasy Points/Game as a Top 8 QB.
Get Him to MIN.pic.twitter.com/zeCNedL7IW
— Joe Orrico (@JoeOrrico) March 3, 2026
Beyond the scheme fit questions, Kyler Murray’s dedication to football and ability to lead a locker room have never been considered strengths. That’s a problem since, last year, we learned how badly the Vikings need a quarterback that can play, yes… but who can also lead.
Kyler Murray would signal end of JJ McCarthy and MN Vikings
Then, there is the JJ McCarthy question. The Minnesota Vikings claim they haven’t given up on their former No. 10 overall pick. However, signing Kyler Murray would send a MUCH different signal, and likely mean the end of McCarthy in purple.
As Louis Riddick (ESPN) pointed out Wednesday on Get Up, Murray still has a decade left to his playing career, if he wants to stay in the league that long. Because Kyler wouldn’t be coming to Minnesota so he can help develop JJ McCarthy through “competition”.
National media starting to ask the obvious question when it comes to all this Kyler Murray + Vikings steam… and the silence surrounding Aaron Rodgers.
If O'Connell really believes in his young QB still, signing Aaron Rodgers would be their obvious choice. Bringing in Kyler… pic.twitter.com/FidTR1YnS4
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) March 4, 2026
“[Signing Rodgers] sends the message, ‘Hey look man, you need to learn how to be a pro. You need to learn from one of the very best. We haven’t thrown in the towel on you but you need to sit back and listen. The timetable has shifted,’ because Aaron is truly year-to-year. Kyler Murray ain’t year to year! Kyler Murray is looking for a place he can play maybe 5, 6, 8, maybe 10 more years. That’s a TOTALLY different message.”
Louis Riddick – ESPN Get Up
Kyler Murray would be signing with the MN Vikings, dreaming every single night about beating McCarthy into the ground during camp so he can prove to Kevin O’Connell that he — not the 23-year-old kid — should be the Vikings’ franchise quarterback.
In all reality, if KOC really believes in JJ McCarthy, he’d be going after his 42-year-old buddy, Aaron Rodgers — who is living year-to-year in his NFL career — NOT Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones or some other 20-something QB talent still trying to prove himself.
Mentioned in this article: Kyler Murray
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