“We wanted to be patient and allow Carson to see what opportunities might be out there, but at the same time, Carson knew very on early in offseason, regardless what other moves or move we made in that room, that we wanted him back,” O’Connell said at the NFL owners meetings. “He loved being in Minnesota. He loves our fan base. He loves getting to wear the purple and gold.“

A shoulder injury brought Wentz’s 2025 season with the Vikings to an end. Despite that, he managed to complete 110-of-169 passes (65.1%) for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions across five starts.

The veteran will be one of four members of a crowded QB room for Minnesota this season. Can Carson Wentz earn the starting job, or will he serve as the experienced primary backup for Kevin O’Connell?

QBs must raise the level of the Vikings

The arrival of Kyler Murray and the previously mentioned return of Carson Wentz serve a clear purpose for Kevin O’Connell. The head coach believes this position must raise the bar for the rest of the team.

“We’ve played three guys in one year. We’ve played four in another. We just feel like having the ability to get quality quarterback play throughout the circumstances we do not control throughout the season gives our team pretty historic data that says if we get quarterback play to a certain line, we win a lot of football games,” he started.

“So we wanted to ensure we are able to do that, but also make it a very, very competitive room and that’s regardless of who’s taking reps with what group. We want the quarterback position to elevate our team, and with the talent we have around that position, we feel pretty good about it also working vice versa the other way around.”

The Minnesota Vikings QB room

With a mix of experience and young talent, the Minnesota Vikings have an intriguing quarterback group to head into the 2026 NFL season:

• Kyler Murray
• Carson Wentz
• J.J. McCarthy
• Max Brosmer

Confirmed rivals for Minnesota

Building strength in the NFC North

The Minnesota Vikings enter the 2026 season looking to capitalize on the momentum of their 5-0 finish to last year. Despite a rocky 4-8 start, the team rallied to a 9–8 overall record, finishing with a strong 4–2 record within the NFC North.

While the division remains a “bloodbath” with the Bears and Packers as heavy favorites, the addition of key players provide a significant boost to an offense that struggled with inconsistency in 2025. If Brian Flores’ defense can maintain its top-10 form, Minnesota has a legitimate shot at unseating Chicago for the divisional crown.

Hence, all eyes are on JJ McCarthy’s situation. In fact, after re-signing Wentz, many thought McCarthy’s future was sealed. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN, the re-signing of Wentz “doesn’t move the needle on whether the team ultimately moves on from J.J. McCarthy. It’s about avoiding the depth emergencies.”

Hence, extrapolating the report, the pecking order will remain with McCarthy over Wentz, though it is speculated that Kyler Murray will be the one under center if all three signal-callers are healthy.

How did Wentz do last season?

Wentz had his chance after McCarthy suffered injuries last season. He ended up starting five games, where the team went 2-3. Still, he looked arguably better than McCarthy. Wentz season even played through a shoulder injury that ended up being a season-ending affair.

Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, six touchdowns and five intereceptions. He had a way better completion percentage than McCarthy, and only 416 yards less despite playing five less games.

Murray should easily distance himself during the preseason

Murray also played just five games last season and had a 2-3 record. However, he had a 68.3 completion percentage, though for only 962 yards, six touchdowns to three picks. Still, he is by far the most talented of the three.

Murray was a first overall pick, and while his career hasn’t been what was expected, he has an educated arm, a well-polished skill set, and a dual-threat capability. Also, he is in his prime athletic years. McCarthy is too raw, and Wentz too old.

The no-tag clause means Murray cannot be franchise tagged by Minnesota. In other words, Murray is guaranteed to either become an unrestricted free agent in 2027 or be handed a lucrative contract by the Vikings. That is, of course, provided he puts on a strong production in the 2026 NFL campaign.

While much has been speculated about Murray and his playing style, it’s clear as day that him and his agent have done their due diligence. When it comes to his contract, Murray has knocked it out of the park. It’s only fitting as the former Heisman trophy winner and first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft was also a top-10 pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Murray got himself a great contract

It’s hardly a secret in the NFL: quarterbacks are getting paid from left to right. Though gutted about his exit from the Cardinals, Murray knows better than to cry over spilled milk. Thus, as soon as he became an unrestricted free agent, he made sure to find the best possible contract. Moreover, signing with the Vikings puts him in a great spot to compete for a starting job.

With UFA Carson Wentz trending toward signing elsewhere and Max Brosmer looking like anything but a finished product in his eight career appearances, the Vikings’ depth chart has J.J. McCarthy and Murray competing for the QB1 role.

If Murray can come away with the job, the supporting cast—featuring Justin Jefferson, T. J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason—can help him reconnect with his best football. Murray could take it from there.

Minnesota can’t afford another misstep

Thanks to the reported clause in his contract, Minnesota will face two options: pay a hefty price to re-sign him or let him walk as a UFA. If the Vikings know one thing, it is that they cannot be the stepping stone for another reborn quarterback.

Sam Darnold went on to win a Super Bowl just one year after they let him walk. As unlikely as it may seem now, Murray could repeat that story, and Minnesota cannot afford to be on the wrong end of history once again.

The depth chart now has McCarthy, but Murray comes in to fill the place of Carson Wentz, who departed the team. Third-tier Max Brosmer is still on the roster, but he will be relegated in the pecking order. John Wolford also departed the team.

For Murray, this is almost an ultimatum. If he can’t beat McCarthy for the starting job, his days as a QB1 in the NFL are all but done. After all, Arizona preferred to deal with Jacoby Brissett, than continue to trust Murray.

JJ McCarthy is also facing huge pressure

McCarthy was a first-round pick in 2024, but he suffered a season-ending knee injury before he could ever step foot in the gridiron. During his sophomore season, McCarthy didn’t impress, and also missed time with plenty of other injuries. He almost lost his job to Carson Wentz, but Wentz also got injured.

McCarthy came into the league with plenty of hype after guiding Michigan to a College Football National Championship. In 2025 where he played just 10 games, had a 6-4 record, completed a dysmal 57.6% of his passes for only 1632 yards and had 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Hence, the Vikings opted to go for a more experienced guy under center. It’s a serious message for McCarthy, who was very underwhelming.

Kevin O’Connell has proven to be a wonderful HC to revive QBs

A change of scenery might be just what Kyler Murray needed. After all, he is going to play for Kevin O’Connell, an offensive mastermind who revived the career of Sam Darnold. Not only that, Murray will have a top-tier WR corp with the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to make life easier for him. His only task is beating JJ McCarthy for the starting position.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the situation could develop quickly depending on how the meeting goes. “Former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray will visit Thursday with the Minnesota Vikings, as John Gambadoro also reported. The belief across the league is that the Vikings are Murray’s likely landing spot.”

If the visit goes well, the Vikings could suddenly find themselves at the center of a huge storyline in the NFL. Murray remains one of the most talented dual-threat quarterbacks available, and Minnesota could see him as a potential solution as they try to return to be a Super Bowl contender. However, that could send a message of lack of trust to J.J. McCarthy.

Who will be Vikings starting quarterback in 2026?

At this moment, the answer could come down to an open competition between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray if the former Cardinals quarterback ultimately signs with Minnesota. McCarthy is still viewed as a long-term project with significant upside, but Murray’s experience would immediately create a legitimate battle for the QB1 role.

It would also be difficult to imagine Murray agreeing to sign with the Vikings without having a real opportunity to win the starting job. A quarterback of his caliber is unlikely to accept a purely backup role, meaning Minnesota would likely frame the situation as a true competition during training camp.

The Vikings are already facing criticism around the league after two major quarterback decisions backfired. The team allowed Sam Darnold to walk and then he went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. Then, Minnesota also moved on from Daniel Jones, who just signed a massive extension with the Indianapolis Colts. Those moves have increased the pressure.

On Wednesday, coinciding with the start of the new league year, the Cardinals finalized the departure of Kyler Murray. However, the situation isn’t entirely bleak for the quarterback, as he is already being linked to a potential contender within the conference.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Minnesota Vikings are set to make a strong push for Murray now that he is a free agent. Fortunately for the NFC North club, the financial cost of adding a two-time Pro Bowler to their roster would be remarkably low.

Vikings could give Kyler Murray minimum deal after Cardinals’ release

Pelissero revealed that the Cardinals still owe Kyler Murray $36.8 million in fully guaranteed money for this season. Because of this remaining obligation from Arizona, it would be easy for Minnesota to sign him to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal worth approximately $1.3 million.

The Vikings are reportedly not fully committed to J.J. McCarthy, whose recurring injuries have sparked internal concerns. Murray’s arrival in Minnesota would create a high-stakes competition between the two former first-round picks for the starting job under Kevin O’Connell.

According to latest reports, Kyler Murray intends to take some time to weigh his options before making a final decision. While the Vikings currently appear to be the front-runners in the sweepstakes, Murray now officially has his fate in his own hands for the first time in his career.

According to Connor Hughes of SNYtv, “The resounding belief from multiple sources, though, is that he [Murray] will sign with the Vikings.” Hence, Murray would remain in the NFC, and if it happens, Murray would instantly put himself into a great situation to succeed.

Not only would Murray avoid going to the AFC, where the quarterbacks are stacked. In the NFC, the quarterback landscape is way better. Also, the whole situation is just good on the Vikings, despite playing in the tough NFC North.

Minnesota is the best destination for any QB looking for a team

If you are a team trying to sign a quarterback, having arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL goes a long way. But it’s not only Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison is an elite WR2 on the roster as well. The QB immediately gets put in a great situation to thrive. Murray should look at that and think it’s a no-brainer to go there.

Also, being coached by an offensive mastermind and former Coach of the Year like Kevin O’Connell is very tempting. The fact is that the team also revived Sam Darnold’s career, so if Kyler Murray thinks he has to revamp his career, this is the place to go.

Murray could thrive with the Vikings

Now that we’ve explored the Vikings side of things, what about Murray? While undersized, Murray still has some upside to offer. While considered a talented yet volatile quarterback, if Murray is in good form, he can be a very good quarterback. Also, he is a speedy player and one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the NFL.

On Tuesday, it was revealed that the Cardinals will release Kyler Murray at the start of the league’s new year. He is expected to draw plenty of interest as a free agent, yet the proposal he has now received from Major League Baseball has surprised many.

Just two days after the news of his release, Kyler Murray received an open invitation to join the Oakland Athletics. General manager David Forst has let him know there would be a spot on their roster if he is willing to give baseball another try.

“Kyler is an elite NFL quarterback and I’m sure there are plenty of opportunities for him to continue his football career,” GM David Forst told MLB.com. “That said, he and his baseball representatives know that we’re always open to him exploring a return to baseball with the A’s if that time ever comes.”

Is it possible for Kyler Murray to leave the NFL and go to MLB?

Kyler Murray entered the NFL in 2019 as the first overall pick in the draft. He had an outstanding college season that led him to win the Heisman Trophy, which is why he was widely projected to become a top quarterback at the professional level.

However, one year earlier, he nearly chose baseball over football. In 2018, Murray was the ninth overall pick in the MLB Draft and signed a contract with the Athletics. He was originally set to pursue a baseball career, but he ultimately returned to football and made history by winning the Heisman Trophy.

Even though the Athletics would likely welcome him back, it is highly unlikely he would make that move. At 28 years old, Murray is still regarded as a solid quarterback and is expected to receive multiple offers from NFL teams. Switching sports at this stage of his career would be extremely challenging.

Murray has already been linked to the Minnesota Vikings, who reportedly want J.J. McCarthy to face strong competition for the starting quarterback job. However, if Murray fails to land a solid deal in the NFL, could a move to the Athletics become a realistic option?

Following Murray’s release — after he broke his silence on being cut — the Cardinals now have Jacoby Brissett and Kedon Slovis under contract for the 2026 NFL season.

However, despite having two quarterbacks on the roster, Arizona is not expected to enter the season with Brissett as its unquestioned QB1. Reports indicate the Cardinals are exploring the veteran market, closely monitoring Aaron Rodgers’ situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers before making their next move.

Is Jacoby Brissett a serious contender for the Cardinals’ QB1 job?

In 2025, the Cardinals turned to Jacoby Brissett amid Kyler Murray’s ongoing health issues. Brissett signed a two-year deal that keeps him under contract through the 2026 season, but his grip on the QB1 role is far from secure.

Reports suggest Arizona is targeting a high-profile quarterback to usher in the post-Murray era. Aaron Rodgers is believed to be their top option, though other candidates could emerge as potential starters.

One intriguing possibility surfaced Tuesday, when the Colts applied the transition tag to Daniel Jones. That move gives Arizona a chance to present Jones with an offer sheet. If Indianapolis declines to match it, the Cardinals could land him without surrendering the two first-round picks required under a non-exclusive franchise tag.

What’s next for Kyler Murray?

Despite not reaching the level of success many expected with the Cardinals, Kyler Murray is set to be a highly sought-after free agent. However, his chances of immediately landing a guaranteed starting job may not be strong.

Murray is still viewed as a capable quarterback who could compete for a QB1 role, particularly with a team facing instability at the position. That said, he may not join a Super Bowl contender as a clear-cut starter. If he signs with a title-caliber team, it could be in a backup role, giving him a chance to rebuild his value and potentially earn another opportunity down the line.

It’s truly an end of an era in Glendale, Arizona. Obviously, Murray failed to deliver silverware to the Cardinals, but he provided some of the highest highs in a while for an NFL team that has never won a Super Bowl. As Murray addressed in his farewell post, the fact he couldn’t lift the curse still doesn’t sit right with him.

“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray wrote on his X account, @K1. “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 wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best. I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it.“

Kyler Murray is now a free agent in the NFL

After Kyler Murray was cut by the Arizona Cardinals, his future is now completely up in the air. Much talk had surrounded Murray during the offseason, with reports suggesting a quarterback swap between the Cardinals and Miami Dolphins involving Murray and Tua Tagovailoa. At the end of the day, that didn’t come to fruition.

Instead, Murray is now joining a long list of NFL free agent quarterbacks in 2026. Murray will turn 29 on August 7th, just ahead of the 2026 season. For many players, that age might signal the end of their physical prime. In the NFL, though, quarterbacks are in a category of their own.

The recent “resurrection” of Sam Darnold—who just led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl LX victory—serves as an inspiring precedent for Murray. Much like Darnold, Kyler has made it clear that despite the noise, his self-confidence isn’t wavering.

Murray’s final numbers with Arizona

As his tenure in The Grand Canyon State came to an end, on Bolavip we take a look at his stats during his seven-year stay in Glendale. According to Pro Football Reference, Murray appeared in 87 games, throwing for 1,974 completions (67.1% completion), 20,460 yards, and 121 touchdowns.

His rushing numbers can’t be forgotten, as “K1” made a living out of his second-to-none speed and elusiveness. Over his seven seasons in Arizona, Murray rushed for 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground. He leaves the Cardinals with an AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award (2019) and two Pro Bowl selections (2020 and 2021).

His most prolific season remains 2020, when he passed for 3,971 yards and 26 TDs, alongside 819 rushing yards and 11 scores—all of which were career-highs. That same year, he delivered his most iconic play: the “Hail Murray” touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins in a Week 10 thriller against the Buffalo Bills.

Kyler Murray and Geno Smith have emerged as the primary targets to challenge McCarthy, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Murray offers dynamic, dual-threat potential that fits Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, while Smith provides a veteran pocket presence and high-volume passing. Both are expected to be available on the market soon.

This shift signals a “win-now” desire for a roster that has elite talent like Justin Jefferson, for instance. By pursuing established Pro Bowlers, the Vikings are admitting they can’t afford another year of growing pains with McCarthy. Whether McCarthy wins the job or ends up on the bench, the era of him being the uncontested starter in Minnesota appears to be over.

Smith and Murray need a new job

Rumors of both Geno Smith and Kyler Murray going into the QB market are heating up. Smith might lose his job to presumed first-overall pick Fernando Mendoza. As for Murray, the team just seems to be ready to move on from him, with reports that head coach Mike LaFleur wants to reunite with a former player of his.

Murray has more leeway than Smith purely on two factors. Firstly, Murray is 28 years old, while Smith is 35. The other thing is, Smith really regressed in 2025, while Murray barely played due to injury. However, Smith’s stock really suffered last season.

Kevin O’Connell can make miracles with an average QB

Sam Darnold‘s miraculous redemption started with the Vikings under Kevin O’Connell. Hence, Smith could see the Vikings as an ideal spot to revive his career. The same can be said for Murray, in all fairness.

The Vikings have an elite weapon in Justin Jefferson, as well as very solid WR2 in Jordan Addison. That, under O’Connell’s scheme is actually a very good recipe, despite JJ McCarthy’s results. In the end, the Vikings have the tools to become a very good team, but they need a proper QB1.