Minnesota Vikings sign Kyler Murray to 1-year contract
Vikings sign QB Kyler Murray to 1-year contract
The Minnesota Vikings on Thursday signed quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year contract for the 2026 season. Murray spoke with reporters via Zoom from TCO Performance Center after making it official.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will join the Minnesota Vikings for the 2026 season.
The Vikings announced Thursday they've signed Murray to a one-year deal. Murray, who is entering his eighth NFL season, was released by the Cardinals at the start of free agency on Wednesday.
Murray reacted to the news with a post on social media.
Vikings land Kyler Murray
What we know:
According to Tom Pelissero with NFL Network, Murray's contract includes a no-tag clause. Murray is due $36.8 million this season, and the Cardinals are paying all but the minimum salary of that.
Murray reportedly flew into Minneapolis Wednesday night, and spent most of Thursday meeting with the Vikings' brass at TCO Performance Center.
What we don't know:
It remains to be seen if Murray will be the 2026 starter, or if the competition will be open and if J.J. McCarthy will get a legitimate chance to compete for the job. McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter in his first full season, but missed seven starts due to an ankle sprain, concussion and fracture on his throwing hand.
The backstory:
Murray was released by the Cardinals when the new league year began on Wednesday, despite Murray's contract that guaranteed him $36.8 million in guaranteed money this year.
Kyler Murray grew up a Vikings' fan
What they're saying:
Speaking on a virtual call Thursday night, Murray told reporters he actually grew up a Vikings' fan. The Texas native says he had tears during the 2010 NFC Championship Game after Brett Favre threw an interception late in regulation. The Vikings were driving for a potential game-winning field goal at New Orleans. Instead, the Saints won the game in overtime.
"I can’t wait to touch the field as a Minnesota Viking. Ever since I started playing tackle football, I was 7 years old, genuine fandom ran deep. Vikings gear through and through, a lot of purple in my household," Murray said. "I cried real tears when Brett through that interception, I cried real tears that day."
Dig deeper:
Murray is one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the NFL. In 2024, he reached a top speed of 21.27 mph on a 50-yard touchdown run, the fastest speed by a quarterback since Murray entered the league in 2019.
At 5-10, Murray is also the smallest quarterback next to Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
Injury concerns
By the numbers:
Murray was productive in Arizona, scoring 121 passing touchdowns and 32 rushing touchdowns over seven seasons. However, his biggest issue was health. Since 2022, he has missed 27 games.
In 2022, he tore his ACL in week 14, causing him to miss the remainder of the season. He started the following season on the PUP list and missed the first nine games. He was able to play all 17 games in 2024. However, last year, he suffered a foot injury that forced him to miss 12 games.
Kevin O'Connell reacts
What they're saying:
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell did a conference call with reporters via Zoom Thursday night after Murray's signing. He did not say if Murray was signed with the intention of being the starting quarterback in September.
"I think we accomplished a goal, which was to add a really talented player with some experience in that room. The goal of adding a talented player like Kyler to the room was about creating an environment for all of our quarterbacks, we created a world where guys are pushing each other," O'Connell said. "Unless I’m confused in any way, shape or form, I don’t believe we have to name one of those currently."
McCarthy's future?
What's next:
It's still unclear what the signing will mean for J.J. McCarthy's future with the team.
McCarthy showed signs of promise last year with Minnesota but, like Murray, struggled with injuries behind a suspect offensive line. Speaking last week on the Rich Eisen Show, NFL insider Tom Pelissero said that, no matter who the Vikings signed, the starting quarterback job was McCarthy's to lose.
"No matter who the Vikings bring in," said Pelissero. "Anybody else who's coming in is going to have to beat out JJ McCarthy. And what they're hoping and what they are optimistic about is a competitive environment that is going to bring out the best in J.J."