This QB Move Could Change the Entire NFC

A Surprisingly Cheap Deal

The Vikings signed Murray to a one-year contract worth roughly $1.3 million, essentially the veteran minimum.

However, the deal is unique because the Cardinals still owe Murray $36.8 million in guaranteed salary for the 2026 season, meaning Arizona will pay the vast majority of his earnings while Minnesota gets a former star quarterback at an incredibly low cost.

This situation is similar to when Russell Wilson signed with Pittsburgh in 2024 while Denver paid most of his salary — a rare opportunity for teams to acquire a veteran quarterback at a bargain price.

Why Arizona Moved On

Murray spent the first seven seasons of his career in Arizona, after being selected first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Early in his career he looked like the future of the franchise, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and earning two Pro Bowl selections.

But injuries and inconsistent team success complicated his tenure with the Cardinals. A torn ACL in 2022 and a foot injury that limited him to just five games in 2025 slowed his momentum significantly.

Ultimately, Arizona decided to reset at the position, eating massive dead cap space while allowing Murray to seek a new opportunity elsewhere.

A Quarterback Battle in Minnesota

Murray won’t automatically be handed the starting job in Minnesota.

Instead, he will enter training camp competing with J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings’ 2024 first-round pick who started multiple games in 2025.

McCarthy threw for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season, leaving the door open for competition.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell has made it clear the team wants a competitive quarterback room, and Murray’s arrival ensures exactly that.

A Chance to Rebuild His Career

For Murray, this deal represents something rare in the NFL: a low-risk opportunity to prove himself again.

The former Oklahoma star has already accumulated 20,000+ passing yards and over 3,000 rushing yards in his career, showing the dual-threat talent that once made him one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks.

Now he’ll try to revive that version of himself in Minnesota.

If Murray wins the starting job and performs well, the Vikings could suddenly have one of the biggest bargains in the NFL. If not, the one-year deal gives the team flexibility moving forward.

What This Means for the Vikings

Minnesota essentially added a former franchise quarterback for almost no financial risk.

Best-case scenario: Murray returns to Pro Bowl form and leads the Vikings back into contention.

Worst-case scenario: the Vikings simply move on after the season.

Either way, the signing instantly creates one of the most fascinating quarterback situations heading into the 2026 NFL season.