Everything about the offseason revolves for the Minnesota Vikings around what the team is going to do about their starting quarterback position. That might have become a bit clearer for the team.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that the Arizona Cardinals have informed quarterback Kyler Murray that he is going to be released from the team. Murray is still guaranteed $36.8 million by the organization in 2026, as he will play this season under the $1.3 million minimum.
Murray was the first overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first year in the NFL. He was named to the Pro Bowl twice and led the Cardinals to the playoffs once in 2021.
In 87 games, Murray threw for 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns to 60 interceptions, completing 67.1 percent of his passes while rushing for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Expected release moves Kyler Murray one step closer to joining Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings have been linked to Murray since late in the 2025 season, amid concerns about their starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. Despite the team winning its last four games and McCarthy improving down the stretch, Minnesota always intended to bring in competition, and Murray could be that guy.
McCarthy's future is up in the air as he is most likely going to stick around in Year 3 and battle with whoever the Vikings bring in as competition. Murray has been among the names mentioned as a potential signing.
It would be a massive departure from Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and the type of quarterback he likes to have in his offense. O'Connell has been more about pocket passers who are accurate and work with what the defense gives them in coverage.
Murray has that athletic ability to move around in the pocket wherever he needs to. There are times, though, when he has to run because his 5-foot-10 height makes it tough to see over the towering linemen in front of him.
Minnesota will have other options in free agency, as they can still go after Aaron Rodgers, who was a popular name for them last offseason. Anthony Richardson has been another consideration for the Vikings.
Murray is arguably the safest choice because he is still 28, with plenty of years left in him, and has won at a high level. At the same time, the Vikings paying the minimum for him would be perfect, as they are under the salary cap.
Murray in Minneapolis almost feels inevitable at this point, but there's a lot that could still change in the next week. If he had his choice, he would be chucking it down the field to Justin Jefferson in 2026.