Vikings pushing for Kyler Murray as Cardinals release becomes official

Chatter around the Vikings and Kyler Murray is getting louder. 

NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that Minnesota “plan[s] to make a push for” Murray, who was officially released by the Cardinals on Wednesday. 

While Murray plans to “take his time and wants to speak with interested teams,” the Vikings are “the team to beat” in the free agency sweepstakes, per the reporters.

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. Getty Images

Before his release, Murray, 28, was owed $36.8 million guaranteed in 2026, and another $19.5 million would have been triggered for 2027 if he were still rostered on March 15.

The 2019 first overall pick was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year during his first season and made a pair of Pro Bowls across seven seasons, but largely disappointed during his tenure with the Cardinals.

Murray went 38-48-1 overall as a starter and made just one postseason in appearance with Arizona.

In Week 6 last season, Murray went out with a foot injury and didn’t return through the rest of the season, essentially losing the starting job to backup Jacoby Brissett, signaling that his days with the franchise were likely coming to an end. 

If Murray does indeed head to Minnesota, he would likely compete for the starting quarterback job with J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024, who underwhelmed during his first healthy season last year. 

Despite one of the best defenses in football and two pass catching weapons on the outside, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the Vikings went just 8-9 and fell short of the postseason in 2025.