After being released by the Arizona Cardinals, former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray faced an uncertain future after a disappointing stint with the team that drafted him out of the University of Oklahoma.
Fortunately for Murray, it didn’t take long for the veteran quarterback to find a new home, as he has inked a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Kyler Murry Inks One-Year Deal With Vikings
The deal includes a no-tag clause. Murray will make $36.8 million this season, with Arizona paying all but the minimum salary.
Although Murray was bound to receive interest from multiple teams around the league, the Vikings were immediately linked to the two-time Pro Bowler once it became known that the Cardinals intended to release him this week.
The real question now is whether he’ll be the starter for the Vikings in Week 1, given the team’s promising young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. The team didn’t get much production from McCarthy during the 2025 NFL season, which led to questions about what the team would do during the offseason and if the Michigan product was the real deal and a player they’d want to build around moving forward.Af
Cardinals Sign Gardner Minshew to Replace Kyler Murray
Getty Quarterback Gardner Minshew #17 of the Kansas City Chiefs
Following Murray’s release, the Cardinals had to address the quarterback position, starting from scratch under new head coach Mike LaFleur. The struggling franchise didn’t take long to decide on Murray’s successor in Arizona, going with the veteran quarterback route in Gardner Minshew, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Cardinals have signed Minshew to a one-year deal worthy $5.75 million.
Minshew has bounced around the league quite a bit since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
His most recent stop was with the Chiefs, as Patrick Mahomes‘ backup. Before playing for Andy Reid in Kansas City, Minshew suited up for the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.
Despite not being able to find his footing as a starter in the NFL, Minshew continues to get opportunities to prove his worth under center, as he’ll most likely be the starting quarterback under center in Week 1 for the Cardinals.
Considering the Cardinals are rebuilding, bringing in Minshew was expected rather than the team trying to land a more high-profile quarterback that would cost them in NFL free agency, like Malik Willis or Kirk Cousins.
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cardinals own the No. 3 overall pick, so it’ll be interesting to see what direction the team goes on draft night and whether they choose to bring in a rookie quarterback or address other areas to help build for the future in Arizona.
With Fernando Mendoza most likely off the table, with everyone predicting the Raiders to draft him, Ty Simpson, out of Alabama, is an option, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
I’m joining my colleague Jordan Reid’s parade and forecasting the Cardinals to make a move for Simpson. With Kyler Murray set to be released, Arizona’s search for a new QB is officially on; the Cardinals also potentially showed their cards by adding Gardner Minshew on a one-year deal as a depth/bridge option. Taking Simpson at No. 3 would be a massive reach to me, but Arizona could trade into the 20s somewhere and land him — akin to what the Giants did to get Jaxson Dart last year.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Cardinals at the quarterback position, but as of right now, Minshew will likely be the starter to begin the 2026 campaign.
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