Kyler Murray Joins Vikings, Childhood Favorite Team

2-time Pro Bowl QB signs one-year deal with no-tag clause, allowing him to hit free agency next year

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:36pm

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Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has agreed to a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings, the team he grew up rooting for. Murray, a 28-year-old dual-threat QB, revealed he was a lifelong Vikings fan starting at age 7 and cried when Brett Favre threw a fateful interception in the 2009 NFC championship game. The Cardinals released Murray after failing to trade him earlier this offseason, and he'll now compete for the starting job in Minnesota with third-year signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.

Why it matters

Murray is a two-time Pro Bowler with a 92.9 career passer rating, but he's had some injury issues and inconsistency in recent seasons. Joining the Vikings and working with quarterback whisperer head coach Kevin O'Connell could help Murray regain his previous form and provide a boost to a Minnesota team looking to take the next step after making the playoffs last season.

The details

Murray inked a one-year deal with the Vikings that includes a no-tag clause, allowing him to hit free agency next year. The Cardinals will pay the bulk of his $36.8 million guaranteed salary for 2023, while the Vikings will pay him the veteran minimum. Murray suffered a season-ending ACL tear in 2022, but he returned during the second half of the 2023 season and has shown flashes of brilliance despite some inconsistency.

  • Murray was released by the Cardinals on March 12, 2026.
  • Murray signed his one-year deal with the Vikings on March 12, 2026.

The players

Kyler Murray

A 28-year-old dual-threat quarterback who was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Arizona Cardinals before being released this offseason.

Kevin O'Connell

The head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, known as a quarterback whisperer who has helped revive the careers of quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones.

J.J. McCarthy

The third-year quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings who has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his young NFL career.

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What they’re saying

“I was 7 years old. Genuine, genuine fandom. Ran deep. Vikings gear through and through. A lot of purple in my household.”

— Kyler Murray

“I cried real tears whenever Brett threw that interception. I cried real tears that day.”

— Kyler Murray

“Ever since then, our relationship, he's always made sure to check in on me, whether it was after a game, things like that, so I always respected that. Obviously, he's had a lot of success with quarterbacks, different quarterbacks, and he's one of the best offensive minds in the game. So I'm looking forward to going to work with him.”

— Kyler Murray

What’s next

The Vikings will hold organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp in the coming months, where Murray will have a chance to get acclimated with his new team and compete for the starting job.

The takeaway

This move represents a fresh start for Kyler Murray, who will look to regain his Pro Bowl form under the tutelage of Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. If Murray can stay healthy and rediscover his consistency, he could provide a significant boost to a Vikings team with Super Bowl aspirations.