MINNEAPOLIS - Kyler Murray made it clear Tuesday that he’s not carrying Arizona with him into his new stop.
After being named Minnesota’s starting quarterback, the former Cardinals passer was asked about Mike LaFleur’s comments and whether Arizona moving on from him at the “prime of his career” would serve as motivation. Murray didn’t bite on the storyline.
“I’m honestly not too worried about what’s going on over there,” Murray said. “Focused on what I got going on here in Minnesota.
I’m glad to be here. Loved every part of being here and focused on the future.”
That answer fit the tone Murray has brought since arriving in Minnesota: direct, unfazed and locked in on what comes next rather than what’s behind him.
Arizona’s decision to move on from Murray on March 11 ended a seven-season run that had been one of the most debated stretches in franchise history. The former No. 1 overall pick never had a smooth ride with the Cardinals, with injuries, inconsistency and a roster that never fully matched the vision that came with his draft-night arrival.
For years, the conversation around Murray split fans right down the middle. Some wanted another chance.
Others were ready to move on. Even after his departure, the same questions followed him: was Arizona the wrong fit, or had the league simply not yet seen the version of Murray people expected?
Now he gets a different stage. Murray signed a one-year contract with the Vikings and enters a quarterback competition with J.J. McCarthy, giving him a fresh opportunity to show he can still be a long-term answer in the NFL.
For Murray, though, the past isn’t the point. The focus is Minnesota, and that part of the story seems settled.
Before the 2026 season begins, his message is simple: what happened in Arizona stays there.
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