The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for a potential meeting with quarterback Kyler Murray, who is set to enter free agency officially on Wednesday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport shared on Good Morning Football that while Murray hasn't yet been declared a free agent due to the NFL's legal tampering period, the Vikings are reportedly a favored destination for him.
Despite Murray's own farewell message on social media, the Arizona Cardinals have yet to make his release official. This delay has kept interested teams, including the Vikings, from initiating talks. Rapoport expects the situation to change swiftly once the release is confirmed, allowing negotiations to begin in earnest.
Murray's departure from the Cardinals comes after the team informed him of their plans to release him at the start of the new league year. ESPN's Adam Schefter noted that the Cardinals owe Murray $36.8 million guaranteed in 2026, with an additional $19.5 million due to trigger shortly after. With a new head coach, Mike LaFleur, and general manager, Monti Ossenfort, the Cardinals are looking to turn the page and find a new quarterback.
The Vikings, along with the Jets and Steelers, are expected to show interest in Murray once he becomes available. The Vikings are reportedly considering signing a veteran quarterback to challenge J.J.
McCarthy, their former first-round pick. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler mentioned that both Murray and former Raiders quarterback Geno Smith are on the Vikings' radar.
Murray's 2025 season was marred by a mid-foot sprain, limiting him to just five starts. His tenure with the Cardinals began with promise, as he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, earning Rookie of the Year honors and Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021. However, injuries have plagued him, restricting his play to 11 or fewer games in three of the last four seasons.
As the free agency window opens, all eyes will be on how the Vikings and other interested teams navigate the opportunity to bring Murray into their fold.