Vikings may have Kyler Murray backup plan in mind amid J.J. McCarthy uncertainty

A recent report revealed that signing with the Minnesota Vikings is the "preference" of quarterback Kyler Murray, who is on track to be released by the Arizona Cardinals after the new league year opens this coming Wednesday afternoon. 

However, it seems that the Vikings may have a different signal-caller in mind. 

Would Vikings prefer to sign this veteran over Kyler Murray?

For a piece published on Friday, NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom shared that current Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith "continues to garner interest from the" Vikings. 

"Several individuals involved in quarterback negotiations believed there was a strong chance Smith and Minnesota were a match," La Canfora explained. 

The Raiders are expected to soon part ways with Smith, who committed the second-most turnovers (18) in the NFL during the 2025 regular season. Most assume Las Vegas will ultimately make Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Murray reportedly is going to sign a one-year deal worth $1.3M to join a team that will hand him its starting job for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted earlier this week that he thinks 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy "will be on the Vikings’ roster next year." 

It seems unlikely that any team will simply give Smith a starting job this spring unless a first-choice option goes down with a significant injury. Thus, Smith may have to be willing to compete with McCarthy or a different quarterback. 

Do Vikings already know Kyler Murray is going elsewhere?

La Canfora added that the New York Jets appear "to be the team most desperate for Murray’s services, and they could also offer an unmitigated path to being their immediate starting quarterback." The Jets have no potential competition for Murray on their roster, such as McCarthy. Additionally, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn reportedly has a relationship with Murray’s father.

Breer also named the Miami Dolphins as a potential landing spot for Murray. The Dolphins are on the hook for a ton of money related to the upcoming release of Tua Tagovailoa, could be interested in an inexpensive quarterback and could also give Murray "an unmitigated path" to their QB1 gig.