Former quarterback and 2018 Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray has a new NFL home, reportedly heading to the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract just a day after being released by the Arizona Cardinals.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Murray’s move will trigger an open competition with JJ McCarthy for the Vikings’ starting spot. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season in 2024 after a preseason meniscus tear in his knee and then missed seven games in 2025 with an ankle sprain and then a concussion.
Murray played just five games for the Cardinals in 2025 but sustained a foot injury in Week 5 against the Titans. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 after setting several Cardinals franchise rookie quarterback records. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021 and led Arizona to the playoffs in 2021.
Murray’s tenure in Arizona ends with him throwing for 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns against 60 interceptions. His 67.1 completion rate ranks fifth all-time in the NFL with at least 1,500 pass attempts.
After a freshman season at Texas A&M in 2015, Murray transferred to Oklahoma in 2016 and earned the starting spot in 2018 – throwing for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns as the Sooners went 13-1 and earned a spot in the four-team College Football Playoff.
Can Murray lead the Vikings to success in 2026? Kalshi is already taking action on predictions to win the NFC North!
David Wasson
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.