EAGAN, MINN. — The Arizona Cardinals officially released Kyler Murray on Wednesday as the 2026 NFL league year kicked off. Arizona wiped the slate clean, absorbing a massive financial hit to end an explosive but injury-riddled seven-year run with the former No. 1 overall pick. Now, the Minnesota Vikings are moving fast. Murray touched down in the Twin Cities on Thursday morning for a highly anticipated visit, making Minnesota the overwhelming favorite to secure the 28-year-old quarterback on a bargain deal.
A Financial Loophole in Minnesota’s Favor
The chilly March wind whipping around the TCO Performance Center didn’t cool the sudden buzz in Eagan. You could almost feel the collective sigh of relief from Vikings fans when the news broke. With J.J. McCarthy entering his third year, head coach Kevin O’Connell needs a proven, dynamic talent to elevate this offense. Murray fits the bill perfectly, and the math works beautifully for the Vikings front office.
Arizona owes Murray $36.8 million in fully guaranteed money for 2026. This rare financial quirk allows the quarterback to sign a one-year, veteran minimum contract worth $1.3 million with his new team, while the Cardinals foot the rest of the bill. It is the ultimate low-risk, high-reward play. Minnesota gets a two-time Pro Bowler to throw to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison without blowing up their salary cap.
The Fall in the Desert
Murray leaves the desert holding exactly one playoff appearance in seven seasons. He dazzled early in his career, racking up 20,460 passing yards, a 121-60 TD-INT ratio, and 3,193 rushing yards over 87 games. But the magic faded down the stretch. A mid-foot sprain restricted him to just five games in the 2025 campaign, leaving veteran Jacoby Brissett to keep the offense afloat under head coach Mike LaFleur.
The front office made their choice. When the clock struck 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, general manager Monti Ossenfort pulled the trigger.
“I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.”
— Kyler Murray, Quarterback
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The quarterback carousel is spinning faster than ever. The Falcons grabbed Tua Tagovailoa, the Jets traded for Geno Smith, and the Dolphins swooped up Malik Willis. That leaves Minnesota in a prime position to lock down the best available signal-caller while outmaneuvering teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are still waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision.
If Murray signs, expect a fierce training camp battle. The dynamic changes immediately. O’Connell runs an offense built on quick processing and pinpoint accuracy. Murray thrives on off-script chaos and raw athleticism. Blending those two styles will dictate whether the Vikings become legitimate NFC contenders or stumble through another transition year. A healthy Murray throwing deep shots to Jefferson under the lights of U.S. Bank Stadium is a terrifying thought for opposing defensive coordinators.
