The Minnesota Vikings‘ quarterback wishlist is starting to come into focus with free agency around the corner. On March 2, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, citing sources, that the Arizona Cardinals told Kyler Murray they plan to release him on March 11, when the new league year opens, unless a trade comes together.
According to the report, the former No. 1 overall pick would prefer to be released so he can explore the market and choose a situation that gives him the best chance to reset and move forward.
Murray already had $36.8 million guaranteed for 2026. Another $19.5 million for 2027 would have become fully guaranteed if he were still on the roster March 16, the fifth day of the 2026 league year.
Amid the speculation linking Murray to the Vikings, former NFL player Emmanuel Acho gave Minnesota a clear warning about signing a QB that isn’t better than the Philadelphia Eagles‘ Jalen Hurts.
“There’s absolutely no rationale to want Kyler Murray over Jalen Hurts,” Acho said on the March 3 edition of “Speak Easy.” “Kyler Murray is not a better quarterback [and] Kyler Murray is not more durable; Kyler Murray is not a better leader [and] Kyler Murray has not wanted a higher clip [and] Kyler Murray has not won a playoff game.
“Kyler Murray is not a galvanizer of men [and] Kyler Murray does not make anybody around him better; Kyler Murray does nothing better than Jalen Hurts besides scramble, play off time, and make his offense worse. There’s just, I think, Kyler Murray does better than Jalen Hurts. Nothing.”
Would Kyler Murray Make Minnesota’s Offense Better
Moreover, Acho went into further details on why Murray wouldn’t be a signal caller that a team with Super Bowl aspirations should build around, considering the NFL pundit is comparing Murray to a player who has won a championship for his team under center.
“He’s not a better pocket passer because Kyler Murray doesn’t like to pass from the pocket, so Kyler Murray is just not better in any way, shape, or form than Jalen Hurts,” Acho added. “Furthermore, Kyler Murray isn’t healthy at all, and nobody wants to follow Kyler Murray. “
Murray has played seven seasons for Arizona, throwing for 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns, per StatMuse. It will be interesting to see if any of the potential that he flashed with the Cardinals could be revived with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, should Minnesota go that route.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see whether Murray, at a crossroads in his career, actually looks to improve in areas where many in the NFL media have criticized him. Perhaps being with O’Connell could turn his career around and live up to his potential of being the former No. 1 pick.
Vikings Insider Gives Update on Kyler Murray
With speculation surrounding Murray and the Vikings growing amid the player’s expected release, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert revealed where Minnesota stands with Murray.
“Kyler Murray is at or near the top of the Vikings’ QB wish list this offseason,“ Seifert wrote on X on March 3. “This news brings him one step closer to the open market.”
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