The Minnesota Vikings have been linked to being a potential landing spot for quarterback Kyler Murray if the Arizona Cardinals chose to release him.
After the Cardinals did make that decision, the rumors grew even louder. On Thursday, the Vikings made the move official and inked Murray to a one-year deal for the 2026 NFL season.
During the 2025 campaign, Minnesota placed its eggs in the J.J. McCarthy basket. That decision backfired on them. McCarthy was unable to stay healthy and even when he was on the field didn’t look the part of a franchise quarterbakc.
Murray being signed will open up a quarterback competition for the Vikings. He will be competing directly with McCarthy for the starting job, although the overwhelming expectation is that the job is Murray’s to lose at this point in time.
Keeping that in mind, polarizing analyst Skip Bayless spoke out about the move and didn’t hold back from making a head-turning prediction for Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings Land Head-Turning Prediction From Skip Bayless
Immediately following the move to sign Murray, Bayless quickly anointed the Vikings as the winners of the NFC North in 2026. He also dropped a bold playoff prediction for the team.
“The Minnesota Vikings just one next year’s NFC North and at least one playoff game. #HailMurray,” Bayless wrote on X.
There is no denying the talent and potential that Murray possesses. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft for a reason.
Last season with Arizona, Murray only played in five games. Back in 2024, however, he played in all 17 regular season games and completed 68.8 percent of his pass attempts for 3,851 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while also running for 572 yards and five more touchdowns.
At just 28 years old, there is a chance that Murray could become a long-term option for Minnesota. He’ll have to beat out McCarthy to earn that opportunity, but he’ll be primed and ready to start his next chapter.
The NFC North Is Going to Be Tough in 2026
With the addition of Murray, the Vikings are going to be a much more serious contender in the NFC North. That being said, every team in the division will be a contender.
Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers looked the part of a Super Bowl contender last season. They have lost some pieces this offseason, but their future still looks bright.
Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, and the Chicago Bears are on an upward trajectory as well. They are fresh off of an NFC North title and were a serious contender in the NFC as well.
Finally, Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions had a disappointing 2025 season. They will be looking to avenge that disappointment next year.
Murray certainly gives Minnesota a fighting chance to win the division. But, it’s not a foregone conclusion and Bayless’ prediction is extremely bold, to say the least.
Skip Bayless Doesn’t Hold Back About Vikings Signing Kyler Murray