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Murray would give the Steelers a chance to stay in win-now mode.
Kyler Murray isn’t a free agent until March 11 at 4 p.m. ET. Still, speculation heavily links the former Arizona Cardinals QB to the Minnesota Vikings, though whether the signal-caller lands in Minnesota remains to be seen.
The former No. 1 overall pick will be looking for a fresh start after his time with the Cardinals came to an end. Moreover, Murray has flashed moments where he can be a good QB in the NFL, and that’s what the Vikings would be looking for.
Minnesota showed it could win 14 games with Sam Darnold, and if it were to sign Murray, head coach Kevin O’Connell would be looking to replicate that formula. Nonetheless, if Murray does come aboard, he’d likely need to beat out J.J. McCarthy for the starting job.
Nonetheless, former NFL player Logan Ryan sees Murray not only winning the starting job, but potentially having an impactful season in 2026 should he head to the Vikings once he becomes a free agent.
“You’re talking about the quarterback position, the most valuable position in our sport,” Ryan said on March 10 on CBS Sports HQ. “You’re talking about a 28-year-old [and] you’re talking about two Pro Bowls, the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Heisman Trophy winner. I mean, that’s not potential. That’s just a Latin word for ‘haven’t done anything.’ That’s production. Kyler Murray has had a ton of it.
“Obviously, he hasn’t fallen off here. He has had some injuries, and that’s the reason why he is where he’s at. But you’re talking about the skill set of this guy. You’re talking about the ability. If you put him with the Minnesota Vikings right away, with that offensive staff and those receivers, that’s scary. Kyler Murray can get back to the Pro Bowl next year.”
Vikings Would Get Kyler Murray at a Bargain
Moreover, Ryan believes the Vikings should take the risk with Murray, given what he will cost them.
“The biggest kicker for why he’s the No. 1 free agent is that he’s only going to cost a team a million bucks,” Ryan added. “It’s not because he’s not commanding a market. It’s because when the Cardinals cut or release him, they owe him all that salary. So the next team is going to get him for the minimum, similar to Tua [Tagovailoa].
“Who would you rather have, Tua or Kyler Murray? I would rather have Kyler Murray at this point, at 28 years old, in a brand-new setting with brand-new scenery around him. So to me, this is the No. 1 free agent. Not only the talent at the position, but the price you’re getting him.”
NFL Insider Gives Latest on Kyler Murray
As for where the Murray situation stands, NFL insider Albert Breer shared the latest regarding the QB’s future. He notes that Murray even has a preference once he becomes an official free agent.
“What I’ve heard is Murray is locked in on playing at the minimum, and using the circumstance he’s in to make this a football-only decision,” Breer wrote in his free agency notes column published on March 10. “My sense is that the Vikings would be his preference, and the Smith trade makes it more likely that Minnesota signs him.
“If the Vikings go another way, with someone like Cousins, then I think the idea of being the stopgap in Indianapolis, presuming Daniel Jones re-ups, while Jones is coming back from his torn Achilles would be appealing to him.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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