Some questions about the Minnesota Vikings‘ quarterback situation are now over. Yet, now new questions will arise, as to a potential QB competition brewing in the Twin Cities.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Vikings have signed Kyler Murray to a one-year contract. He’s signing for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million, which is an incredible bargain at a position where the highest-paid players’ salaries reach $60 million.
Per Murray’s agent Erik Burkhardt, Murray will have a no-tag clause inserted into his Vikings contract. This prevents the Vikings from placing either the transition or franchise tag on him next offseason.
Of course, if all goes well, the Vikings and Murray could work out an extension before he ever hits the open market again. If not, Murray gets one season to prove his worth and maximize his value on the open market next year.
It means the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback enters the season as a motivated man looking to show that the Cardinals made a big mistake by moving on from their franchise QB. Murray has completed 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions.
Yet, Murray also adds another element the Vikings’ offense hasn’t seen since a small stint with Josh Dobbs in 2023 after Kirk Cousins’ injury. An uber-athlete who was also a top-ten selection in the MLB Draft, Murray had 819 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020. Overall, he’s racked up 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground, adding a unique facet to coach Minnesota’s scoring attack.
Murray enters an excellent situation, playing for Kevin O’Connell, who helped Sam Darnold maximize his potential as well. Plus, it never hurts to have Justin Jefferson, who’s joined by Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. Another option could be arriving in the middle rounds of the draft after losing Jalen Nailor to the Raiders in free agency.
Next, the focus will be on whether the 28-year-old Murray finds himself in a competition with J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. Still, 23 years old, the Vikings may not be ready to give up on McCarthy, but signing a proven seven-year veteran who’s started all 87 games he’s appeared in sends a strong signal that could send the 23-year-old to the bench.
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Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on Sportsnaut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports ... More about Andrew Buller-Russ