Kyler Murray Has Signed With The Vikings, But The Cardinals Will Still Pay 96% Of His Salary

Kyler Murray grew up as a fan of the Minnesota Vikings. According to him, the fandom began "ever since I started playing tackle football. I was seven years old." He also said he had "Vikings gear through and through, a lot of purple in my household."

He's about to add some more purple to the wardrobe after he and the Vikings agreed to a one-year deal. The move comes after the Arizona Cardinals released Murray. He had played seven seasons in Arizona.

The contract from the Vikings includes a salary of $1.3 million, the veteran's minimum for a player with seven years of league experience. However, Murray will make $36.8 million this year, as that was guaranteed under his contract with the Cardinals.

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His Vikings deal will supplement that guarantee, but that still means the Cardinals are on the hook for $35.5 million, or a whopping 96.4% of his 2026 salary. That's a lot to pay a player who won't be on the roster.

Instead, Murray will compete for the starting job in Minnesota. The Vikings released Sam Darnold after the 2024 season, which included a 14-3 record that ended with a disappointing loss in the NFC Wild Card round. Last season, the Vikings turned to J.J. McCarthy. Though it was technically his second season, he was essentially a rookie after missing all of 2024 with a knee injury. McCarthy played 10 games, once again missing time throughout the year with a sprained ankle and a fractured hand.

After the impressive 14-3 season in 2024, the Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs last year. The team did win its final five games, so maybe there's some reason for optimism heading into 2026.

For Murray, it's a "prove it" season, although he's not approaching it any differently than he normally does.

"Every year to me is a go out there and prove it year," he said during his introductory press conference. "I want my teammates to know I'm riding for them regardless of the circumstances, and they can count on me."

Murray's time in Arizona had some highs—like a playoff appearance in 2021—as well as some lows, including an injury-riddled 2025 season. For his Cardinals career, he finished with a 38-48-1 record in games he started, throwing for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions.

He'll get a fresh start in Minnesota, even if his checks continue to come primarily from Arizona.