Seven years is a long time to carry the weight of a franchise. For Murray, the journey in Arizona was marked by flashes of brilliance, a massive contract extension, and a string of injuries that slowly eroded the confidence of a front office that once made him the crown jewel of its rebuild. Now, with the desert behind him, Murray is suiting up in purple and gold — and the football world is paying close attention.
How Murray Ended Up in Minnesota
The Arizona Cardinals informed Murray on March 3 that they intended to release him at the start of the new league year. The official split came on March 11, closing a chapter that began when the Cardinals used the top pick of the 2019 NFL Draft on the Oklahoma product. Despite carrying a massive dead cap hit of $54.7 million into 2026, Arizona chose to move on rather than keep a quarterback whose production had dipped below expectations.
The Minnesota Vikings wasted little time. With Murray officially a free agent, they signed him to a one-year deal at the veteran minimum — a move that NFL analysts almost universally praised as a sharp, low-risk play for a team serious about competing in the NFC North. The deal was sealed quickly, a sign that both sides were eager to make it work.
What Murray Brings to a Loaded Vikings Quarterback Room
Minnesota’s quarterback room heading into 2026 is unlike anything the franchise has assembled in recent memory. Murray joins J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer — creating a depth chart with legitimate competition at every level. Head coach Kevin O’Connell, known for his ability to maximize quarterback talent, now has one of the most dynamic dual-threat passers in the league to work with.
The case for Murray as a legitimate starter is built on a career full of elite moments. He is one of only three players in NFL history — alongside Cam Newton and Josh Allen — to record all of the following within their first 90 games
- 20,000-plus passing yards
- 120-plus passing touchdowns
- 3,000-plus rushing yards
- 30-plus rushing touchdowns
That kind of dual-threat production does not disappear overnight. And at just 28 years old, Murray is widely viewed as a quarterback still capable of playing his best football.
The Injury History Murray Must Overcome
The most significant question mark surrounding Murray is durability. Since 2023, he has missed 21 games due to lower-body injuries, including a foot injury in 2025 that eventually landed him on injured reserve and contributed to his benching in Arizona. When the Cardinals turned to veteran backup Jacoby Brissett — and found more success — the writing was on the wall.
For Minnesota, the risk is manageable precisely because of the contract structure. Paying only the veteran minimum means the Vikings lose virtually nothing if Murray struggles or gets hurt again. What they gain, however, could be enormous if he stays healthy and rediscovers the form that made him one of the most electrifying quarterbacks of his generation.
A Redemption Story Worth Watching in 2026
The NFL loves a comeback narrative, and Murray‘s arrival in Minnesota has all the ingredients of a compelling one. A former No. 1 overall pick, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and a generational athlete now playing for the league minimum with everything to prove — it is the kind of setup that tends to bring out the best in competitors.
The Vikings, for their part, are not just hoping for a feel-good story. They are chasing the NFC North title in a division that includes Chicago, Detroit, and Green Bay — all legitimate contenders. If Murray wins the starting role and plays at anything close to his ceiling, Minnesota becomes a genuine postseason threat. And for a quarterback who has been counted out, that chance is exactly what he needed.
