Kyler Murray learns fate in Minnesota Vikings QB competition
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Kyler Murray has been named Minnesota’s starting quarterback.
The Vikings made their decision Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Murray had been competing with JJ McCarthy for the starting job.
ESPN sources: the Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starting QB. pic.twitter.com/VBE4azfGoF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 11, 2026
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Selected No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Murray played his first 7 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He was released by the club in March, and signed with Minnesota for the veteran’s minimum salary of $1.3 million for 2026.
Murray is hoping for a bounce-back season. He was limited by injury to just 5 games in 2025.
In 2024, Murray was a 17-game starter and threw for 3,851 passing yards, the fourth time in his career exceeding 3,700 yards. In his pro career, Murray has completed 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards, an average of 7 yards per attempt, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions.
Murray had a strong start to his career, earning Offensive Rookie of the Year for 2019 and making the Pro Bowl in 2020 and ’21. Murray posted the best numbers of his career in 2020, going 375-of-558 passing for 3,971 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 133 rushes for 819 yards and 11 scores.
Out of Allen (Texas) High School, Murray began his college career at Texas A&M in 2015. He transferred to Oklahoma, where he had a sensational 2018 season that led to his winning the Heisman Trophy.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
