Vikings sign former No. 1 pick QB Kyler Murray to 1-year deal

Field Level Media|published: Thu 12th March, 19:03 2026

Oct 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) makes a throw against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Former No. 1 overall pick quarterback Kyler Murray has agreed to a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

The signing was announced by the team Thursday the day after Murray was officially released by the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he played his first seven NFL seasons.

He confirmed the news with a post on his X account of him in Vikings gear with the caption, "Skol."

Skol. pic.twitter.com/pluMd4wp0k
— Kyler Murray (@K1) March 12, 2026

With Arizona owing Murray $36.8 million for the 2026 season despite his release, the dual-threat quarterback will reportedly receive $1.3 million from Minnesota, the league-minimum contract for veterans of seven-plus seasons.

The deal includes a no-tag clause, several reports said, meaning the Vikings cannot place the franchise tag on Murray after the 2026 season.

Murray was the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and made the Pro Bowl in his second and third seasons but has largely struggled when on the field in the four seasons since.

He played a career-low five games in 2025, ending the season on injured reserve with a foot injury, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions with a career-low 173 rushing yards and one rushing score.

He's played a full regular season just once in the last five years (2024). In 87 career games (all starts), Murray has a 38-48-1 record, completing 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions with 3,193 rushing yards and 32 scores.

Murray has played in just one playoff game, throwing two interceptions with no touchdowns in a 34-11 wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.

In Minnesota, he'll battle incumbent starter J.J. McCarthy for the QB1 gig this upcoming season. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, also battled injuries last season in his first action after missing the entire 2024 season with a torn meniscus.

McCarthy made 10 starts in 2025, completing 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 181 yards and four touchdowns.

--Field Level Media

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