When looking for a new team amid his release from the Arizona Cardinals, quarterback Kyler Murray saw a golden opportunity to work with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Murray explained that amid signing with the Vikings on Thursday with a one-year, $1.3 million. The former No. 1 pick didn't find long-term success with the Cardinals, and he hopes that will change in Minnesota.
“Me and K.O. go back to the Elite 11 days,” Murray told reporters on Thursday. “I remember during the combine, I had an interview with (Washington), and he was with them."
O'Connell, a former NFL quarterback, served as Washington's offensive coordinator then. Washington picked No. 15 that year, 2019, and took late Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, and Murray went No. 1 to the Cardinals.
"He pulled me aside after my meeting with them," Murray said of O'Connell. "Ever since then, our relationship, he’s always made sure to check in on me, whether it was after a game, things like that."
They were soon in the same division when O'Connell became the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020. That added to O'Connell's familiarity with Murray's game.
Since O'Connell became the head of the Vikings in 2022, he has enjoyed success with Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold. O'Connell is now looking for Murray to challenge J.J. McCarthy after a subpar first year as the starter.
“I’ve always appreciated his opinion of me and the support he’s given me," Murray said. "Getting to play for him and have that relationship with him means the world."
"Obviously, he’s had a lot of success with different quarterbacks, and he’s one of the best offensive minds in the game," Murray added. "I’m looking forward to going to work with him.”
Murray has 87 career starts with a 67.1% completion rate for 20,0460 yards and 121 touchdowns versus 60 interceptions. McCarthy only completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns versus 12 picks in his 10 starts for 2025, his second year out of Michigan.
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