The Minnesota Vikings have landed free agent quarterback Kyler on a one-year league minimum deal for this upcoming season. Rumors had been circulating that Murray would move to the Vikings once he was released by the Cardinals, and that deal was finalized today.
Since Murray was still owed $36.8 million by the Cardinals, Minnesota was able to land him on a veteran league minimum contract, as his salary will be going to Arizona, who is taking the cap hit.
I think this is a match made in heaven. The Vikings can enter next season as a serious playoff contender with Murray, and they can let JJ McCarthy sit behind him and continue to develop. It was very apparent last year that McCarthy was not an NFL-level play caller. Maybe McCarthy lacked confidence in his return from injury, maybe he wasn’t ready to be a starter, or, most importantly, he might not be an NFL-level prospect.
Kyler isn’t some perfect NFL player himself, but in a Kevin O’Connell-led offense, I think he can prove to be an above-average starter–and that’s all the Vikings will need. Minnesota floated around .500 last season with some of the worst quarterback play in the league from McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Heck, McCarthy and Brosmer might’ve been worse than the two starting quarterbacks Cleveland threw out for most of the season.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be excited to have a quarterback who can keep his elite defense in better field position. However, Murray should be able to do more than that. He will be paired with two pass catchers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, who might be the two best players he’s thrown to at the college level.
With Murray, it’s always been about his athleticism, which makes him great, and that’s the biggest need for the Vikings. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason aren’t the greatest backfield pairing, so having Murray’s ability to stretch defense and keep the clock moving will be vital for Minnesota.
O’Connell has been one of the best quarterback whisperers in the NFL. He was able to revitalize Sam Darnold’s career and consistently get the most out of Kirk Cousins. Murray isn’t the traditional pocket-passer type that O’Connell’s found success with, so it’ll be interesting to see how he’s able to scheme up plays to use his athleticism. The NFC North will once again be one of the better divisions in the sport, but if Murray can be a solid pickup, the Vikings should once again have a shot to be “Kings of the North”.
