Kyler Murray has already found a new team after being released by the Arizona Cardinals. He is set to join the Minnesota Vikings in 2026.
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The former first overall pick from the 2019 NFL Draft flew to Minneapolis on Wednesday after his release. He met with the quarterback-needy Vikings all day Thursday and ultimately signed a one-year deal.
The NFC North team will only have to pay him the league minimum as a salary as the Cardinals still owe him a guaranteed $36.8 million as part of an extension that he signed in 2022.
Skol. pic.twitter.com/pluMd4wp0k
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 12, 2026
This contract includes a no-tag clause, meaning that the Vikings can not use the transition tag or franchise tag after the 2026 season to keep Murray in the building. If they want him for longer than one season, they will have to pay him with a new deal. If not, they will have to let him hit free agency.
Murray, who says he cried real tears when Brett Favre threw an interception in the 2009 NFC championship, will not automatically take the starting job. He will compete with former first-round pick JJ McCarthy, who has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. He then went 6-4 as a starter last season while missing time due to a concussion, a hand injury, and a high-ankle sprain. He threw only 11 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions.
Murray spent seven seasons playing for the Cardinals. He threw for 20,460 yards with 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions. He rushed for 3,193 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns.
However, the former Oklahoma quarterback also missed a combined 27 games between 2022-2025. He suffered a torn ACL in 2022, and he suffered a foot injury last season. He also missed multiple games after the Cardinals turned to backup Jacoby Brissett.
Now, he will try to rebuild his career with a team that has worked with multiple journeyman quarterbacks. This includes Nick Mullens, Josh Dobbs, Carson Wentz, and Sam Darnold.
