It's easy to claim that since Kyler Murray is a former top NFL Draft pick who spent the first part of his pro career with one of the worst run franchises in the entire league, he is now following a similar path to Sam Darnold in 2024 after signing with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this month.
However, that's where the similarities probably end between Murray right now and Darnold in 2024.
During a recent episode of "The Dominique Foxworth Show," ESPN's Dominique Foxworth shared why Minnesota's latest veteran quarterback adventure isn't the same as the previous one.
"I've heard this scenario kind of played out a bunch of times, where it's like, is Kyler Murray going to be the next Sam Darnold?
And then I get annoyed because I'm like, it's very different.
Kyler Murray had stretches of good play. He proved that he was an NFL player, an NFL starting-caliber quarterback.
He got an extension from his first team. This isn't the same. This isn't like rags to riches in the same way.
The Sam Darnold thing was a shock. I think that this Kyler Murray situation [will] be less of a shock. I'm kind of expecting it to look good.”
Unlike Sam Darnold in 2024, Kyler Murray is expected to be good with the Minnesota Vikings in 2026
Compared to Darnold before he took a snap with the Vikings in 2024, Murray has joined Minnesota with 8,396 more passing yards, 58 more passing touchdowns, 2,433 more rushing yards, 19 more rushing touchdowns, a completion rate that is 7.4 percent higher, a passer rating that is higher by 13.9, a higher touchdown percentage, a lower interception rate, and a lower sack rate.
In addition to his numbers being more impressive, Murray's teams won a higher percentage of games when he was the starter compared to Darnold pre-2024, the former Cardinals signal-caller earned two trips to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021, and he won the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Foxworth is right. Murray signing with Minnesota this offseason isn't what it was like when the team added Darnold in 2024.
This isn't another case of the Vikings finding a quarterback reclamation project. Murray has already had a taste of success in the league, while Darnold was clinging onto his NFL career when he signed with Minnesota before the 2024 season.
Based on all of this, any Vikings fans who are hoping Murray can be just as good next season as Darnold was in 2024 should set their standards higher for the former Arizona quarterback.
Basically, if Murray can't succeed in a Minnesota uniform in 2026, then it should be viewed as a massive disappointment.