For seven years in Arizona Cardinals, Kyler Murray was the face of a franchise that never quite built around him the way the investment demanded. Now, he heads to the Minnesota Vikings with a hope of a fresh start, a clean bill of health, and one of the most absurd financial setups in recent NFL memory.
But his inclusion in the roster will likely give the active quarterback and wide receiver room a hard time. At least a majority of the fans share a similar concern.
Vikings land Kyler Murray on vet minimum after $36.8M Cardinals payout
Kyler Murray’s seven years in Arizona were defined by flashes of brilliance and constant friction. After being the top pick in 2019 and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, he put up solid numbers with a 67.1% completion rate, over 20,000 yards, and 121 touchdowns.
Athletics Kyler Murray
Dec 7, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) on the side line against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
But the Cardinals struggled to build a winning culture around him. Between a lack of consistent support and major injuries — including a torn ACL that sidelined him for much of 2022 and 2023 — the relationship stalled gradually. They finally moved on and released him on Wednesday, ending a high-stakes era that never quite reached its potential.
Now he is the fundamental part of the Vikings QB room.According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Murray signed a one-year deal with Minnesota, joining a QB room that already includesformer No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings will pay $1.3 million of the $36.8 million Murray had been guaranteed by Arizona.
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
Since Arizona still owed Murray $36.8 million in guarantees, his contract included “offset language.” This meant any money he earned from a new team would just be deducted from what the Cardinals had to pay him.
Because he was getting that $36.8 million regardless, it made sense for him to sign for the league minimum. And this flexibility allowed the Vikings to land him for about $1.3 million while Arizona picked up the rest of the bill.
Fans react to Kyler Murray-Vikings move
Online reactions to the signing are, however, less about Murray and more about Justin Jefferson. Many on social media are worried because Murray struggled to connect with his last star receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr.
The numbers back up the concern. Murray played well in 2024, hitting nearly 69% of his passes for over 3,800 yards, but he and Harrison Jr. never really clicked.
He only completed about 54% of the balls he threw to his top rookie. Jefferson is a far more established All-Pro, but it’s fair to wonder if Murray can actually get him the ball consistently enough to keep the offense elite.
One fanwrote, “Never mind the money. Look out league with Murray throwing lasers to Jefferson, remember him and D’Hop lighting it up a few years back.”
Anotheradded, “Free Justin Jefferson.”
The third onepenned, “Making 36 million from your old job to go play for a much better team for a minimum contract is just crazy. Kyler just straight up robbed the Cardinals. He gets to throw to Justin Jefferson with zero pressure on his contract. That’s a huge win for him.”
A fourth fannoted, “Justin Jefferson looking at his QB options” alongside an image of someone shivering in a hospital bed.
The fifth fanclaimed, “He couldn’t make Marvin Harrison look good… feel terrible for Justin Jefferson.”
Murray’s one-year contract includes a “no-tag” clause, meaningthe Vikings can’t block him from testing free agency in 2027. This makes 2026 a clear “prove-it” year. If he plays well, he’ll likely land a massive long-term deal elsewhere; if he doesn’t, his value will tank. It remains to be seen how things unfold in the near future.