The longtime starting quarterback in the desert, Kyler Murray, was recently cut. After some negotiation, Murray and the Minnesota Vikings have come to terms on a one-year contract. Murray spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.
Kyler Murray, Vikings, Agree To Contract
Former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is signing a one-year deal with the Vikings, per sources. Murray now will become part of a QB room that includes former No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy.
With Murray already owed $36.8 million from Arizona, his one-year contract with the Vikings… pic.twitter.com/RSbFIVRssl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2026
Murray was selected by the Cardinals with the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. In his final season with the Sooners, Murray dominated the Big 12 en route to winning the Heisman Trophy. After passing for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns, Murray was deemed the Cardinals’ franchise quarterback.
As a rookie, Murray took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after throwing for 3,722 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 544 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He took a step in his second season, tossing 26 touchdowns on 3,971 yards. On the ground, Murray set his career bests with 819 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Murray led the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2021 despite missing three games. He threw for 3,787 yards and 24 touchdowns before the Cardinals fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL Wild Card. Murray’s fifth-year option was picked up, then he signed a five-year contract extension.
Then, injuries began to pile up. Over his next two seasons, Murray missed 15 games, including a stretch of 13 consecutive games missed spanning the end of the 2022 season into 2023 due to a torn ACL. In his eight games over the final eight weeks of the 2023 season, Murray finished with 1,799 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. He finished ninth in Comeback Player of the Year voting.
In 2024, Murray was finally healthy with 17 starts. In those 17 games, he threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns. On the ground, he added 572 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
But, last year, his season was cut short due to a Lisfranc injury. In his five games in 2025, Murray amassed just 962 passing yards and six touchdowns.
In his career, Murray is a two-time Pro Bowler, earning the honors in 2020 and 2021. He leaves Arizona with the third-most career passing yards and touchdowns. On the ground, Murray ended his Cardinals career with the most rushing yards and touchdowns from a quarterback (11th in yards and seventh in touchdowns, regardless of position).
Murray is due $36.8 million from the Cardinals for the 2026 season on top of his new contract with his new team.
Main Photo: [Joe Camporeale] – Imagn Images