Vikings Remain Bullish On QB Kyler Murray

That decision backfired and may have been the driving force behind former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s ouster earlier this year. After his firing, the Vikings signed Kyler Murray, re-signed Carson Wentz, and relegated McCarthy to third-string duties before shipping him to the Giants in late September in exchange for a fifth-round pick.

Despite their recent turmoil at the game’s most important position, the Vikings are the NFL’s last remaining unbeaten team. The 6-0 squad’s success has been driven largely by its defense, which presently ranks second in yards allowed per game (252.8) and first in points allowed per game (a miniscule 12.3, nearly five points fewer than the next closest team). 

The Murray-led offense, on the other hand, ranks near the bottom of the league in terms of both yardage (281.7 per game) and points (20.8). However, Pelissero says the Vikings remain bullish on Murray and have no intention of pursuing QB help at the deadline.

Of course, the odds of a Super Bowl hopeful acquiring a realistic quarterback upgrade in-season are quite slim anyway. But the club’s opinion of Murray is still notable, as he will be a free agent again in 2027, at which point the Cardinals will no longer be footing the majority of his salary. 

As Pelissero observes, Murray has completed 40 of 48 passes over his last six quarters, and in the fourth quarter of a close game against the Colts in Week 7, he had a 35-yard scramble, completed a 22-yard pass to tight end T.J. Hockenson to extend a drive, and hit wide receiver Jordan Addison for a 34-yard-completion that was wiped out by a penalty away from the play. 

Pelissero also points out that star wideout Justin Jefferson is still dealing with the lingering effects of an ankle injury, and both Addison and Hockenson have missed time with injuries of their own. Ditto RB Jordan Mason, who recently returned from IR.

The Vikings are one of the many teams who have been connected to Taylor, and they have even been named as one of the frontrunners for his services, along with the Giants. Clearly, the plan is to support Murray, not replace him.

Murray, 29, played just 11 snaps in Week 1 due to a concussion, and he was forced to miss the club’s Week 2 contest as he navigated the concussion protocol. Over the four-plus games he has appeared in this season, he has completed 83 of 125 passes (66.4%) for three touchdowns against two interceptions and has added 25 carries for 132 yards. His 85.8 traditional quarterback rating ranks 22nd among 33 qualified players, while his 45.8 QBR ranks 26th.