The Minnesota Vikings are staring down a pivotal offseason, and the quarterback position is once again front and center. After a rollercoaster 2025 campaign, the team has some serious soul-searching to do-particularly when it comes to J.J. McCarthy’s future under center and whether a veteran presence might be the missing piece in the locker room.
One name already surfacing in early free agency chatter? Kyler Murray.
NFL insider Phil Mackey recently pointed to Murray as a potential target for Minnesota, noting, “Kyler is someone to keep an eye on for the Vikings over the next few weeks.” That comment came in response to a report from Adam Schefter, who mentioned that both the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals are exploring trade options for their starting quarterbacks as they transition to new head coaches.
Now, let’s unpack that.
Murray, still just a few years removed from signing a massive five-year, $230.5 million extension with Arizona, hasn’t led the Cardinals to the postseason since putting pen to paper. With Mike LaFleur now calling the shots as head coach in Arizona, the franchise may be ready to hit the reset button-and that could open the door for Murray to find a new home.
Minnesota, meanwhile, could be an intriguing landing spot. J.J.
McCarthy had a rough go in his rookie season, showing flashes of potential but also long stretches of inconsistency. That’s not entirely unexpected for a young quarterback, but in a division that’s only getting tougher, the Vikings may not have the luxury of waiting too long for McCarthy to develop.
Bringing in a proven starter like Murray wouldn’t just provide a potential upgrade-it could also create a more structured development path for McCarthy. Learning behind a two-time Pro Bowler with playoff experience? That’s the kind of mentorship that could pay dividends down the line.
Of course, this all comes on the heels of a frustrating 2025 season for Minnesota-a year that started with promise and ended with questions.
Coming off a 14-3 campaign in 2024, the Vikings looked like a team ready to contend. But the offseason took a sharp turn when the front office let Sam Darnold walk in free agency. Darnold would go on to sign with the Seattle Seahawks and-just to twist the knife a little-lead them to their first Super Bowl title in over a decade.
Without Darnold, the Vikings stumbled out of the gate, starting the year 4-8. The offense sputtered, McCarthy struggled to find rhythm, and even a five-game win streak to close out the season couldn’t salvage a playoff berth. They finished 9-8-respectable on paper, but a far cry from the expectations they carried into the year.
Justin Jefferson, one of the league’s premier wideouts, was often left stranded without consistent targets. The defense had its moments but lacked the week-to-week steadiness needed to carry a young quarterback through growing pains.
Now, the Vikings are heading into an offseason that could define their trajectory for years to come. They’ve got to nail free agency.
They’ve got to hit on the 2026 NFL Draft. And most importantly, they’ve got to figure out the quarterback situation-whether that means doubling down on McCarthy, bringing in a veteran like Murray, or some combination of the two.
There’s no easy answer. But one thing’s clear: Minnesota can’t afford to miss.
Not in this division. Not with this roster.
And not with a fan base still waiting for the team to take that next step.
Keep an eye on this one. The Vikings' quarterback room could look very different by the time training camp rolls around.