The Vikings are signing QB Kyler Murray to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports. That sets him up to compete with third-year QB J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in 2026. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the deal includes a "no-tag clause." So Murray's clearly hoping to prove himself this season and then land a big deal ahead of 2027.
ESPN's Adam Schefter: "With Murray already owed $36.8 million from Arizona, his one-year contract with the Vikings will be for the veteran league minimum."
Pelissero: "The Vikings' hope is competition will also bring out the best in J.J. McCarthy."
This is a rare case where the contract details tell us nothing. Just like with Tua Tagovailoa going to Atlanta and Russell Wilson's journey to Pittsburgh in 2024, the league-minimum deal here just means the player wants to make the releasing team pay him his money. (A larger salary from the Vikings would have offset what Arizona owes.)
That Murray chose the Vikings early in the process, though, indicates that he got a more attractive sales pitch than was available from the ...
Perhaps none of those teams was interested. Or maybe Murray didn't want them. But the early Minnesota decision points to at least the promise of a true summer competition.
If Murray wins the Vikings job, he'll be an attractive fantasy play.
He's not likely to climb inside the top 12 in ADP even if that comes before the season. But he clearly carries upside into that range.
Murray has finished six of his seven pro seasons among the league's top 12 QBs in fantasy points per game. And none of those found him throwing passes to Justin Jefferson.
Of course, it's too early to consider McCarthy a bust and the definite loser in this competition. Minnesota moved up to No. 10 overall in 2024 and drafted him ahead of Bo Nix, with Sam Darnold already under contract.
The small financial commitment to Murray also leaves Minnesota with no reason to favor him in the duel.
The winner here figures to be the legitimately better performer. And we'll all be watching.
This might be a moment to see if you can sell high on Murray in dynasty. And I'm emphasizing high for a reason.
If you find a league mate who's sure right now that Murray's going to start for Minnesota in 2026 (and potentially beyond), you might get a QB1-level return. That'd be worth considering for a player with no guarantee for the coming season, and even less to count on beyond that.
This is not, however, a good time to just sell Murray for whatever you can get.
If he does win the Minnesota starting job, his market value will surely rise.
Every pass catcher in Minnesota wins for the added competition. That said, it's a modest bump because Murray hasn't been awesome as a passer to date.
If he had been, he wouldn't have come available in the first place.
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