Vikings Add Kyler Murray to QB Competition

Former No. 1 overall pick signs one-year deal, will battle J.J. McCarthy for starting job

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:21pm

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The Minnesota Vikings have signed former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year contract, adding him to a quarterback competition with incumbent starter J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed excitement about the addition of the talented but inconsistent Murray, who will look to revive his career after a down season in 2022.

Why it matters

The Vikings are looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season, and the quarterback position is a key area of focus. Murray brings more experience and upside than McCarthy, who struggled in his second year, and the competition between the two former first-round picks will be a major storyline heading into the 2023 season.

The details

Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, had his best seasons under former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury in 2020 and 2021, earning high grades from Pro Football Focus. However, his play dropped off significantly last year, with a 72.2 grade that ranked 20th in the NFL. McCarthy, the Vikings' second-year QB, had an even worse season, ranking 33rd with a 61.8 grade. The Vikings are hoping that the addition of Murray will elevate the quarterback room and provide a true competition for the starting job.

  • Murray signed a one-year contract with the Vikings on March 13, 2026.
  • McCarthy is entering his third NFL season in 2023 after being drafted by the Vikings in 2021.

The players

Kyler Murray

A former No. 1 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, Murray is a talented but inconsistent quarterback who is looking to revive his career with the Vikings.

J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings' second-year quarterback, McCarthy struggled in his sophomore season and will now face competition from Murray for the starting job.

Kevin O'Connell

The Vikings' head coach, O'Connell expressed excitement about adding Murray to the quarterback room and creating a competitive situation at the position.

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What they’re saying

“I think we accomplished a goal, which was to add a really talented player with some experience to that room. It's something I'm really excited about, as we set out to elevate the situation in that quarterback room, being very competitive.”

— Kevin O'Connell, Vikings Head Coach (Star Tribune)

What’s next

The Vikings will hold an open competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy for the starting quarterback job during training camp and the preseason. The team will need to decide whether to sign Murray to a long-term extension if he wins the job, as his one-year contract includes a 'do not tag' clause that would prevent the Vikings from using the franchise tag on him after the season.

The takeaway

The Vikings' decision to sign Kyler Murray signals a clear lack of confidence in J.J. McCarthy as the long-term answer at quarterback. The competition between the two former first-round picks will be a major storyline in Minnesota, as the team looks to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season and solidify the most important position on the field.