By Graham Fritz 

Writer/Reporter 

Stop me if this sounds familiar: the Vikings are coming off a year they struggled at QB, where two seasons prior they won 13 or more games, they go into the offseason and sign a former high-end 1^st round draft pick to a one-year deal to compete with JJ McCarthy, who is – presumably – their current starting QB. As much as it sounds like 2024, here we are two years later in an eerily similar position in 2026. The Minnesota Vikings paid a hefty price for letting the former 3^rd overall pick, Sam Darnold, walk out the door after his one-year stint in purple. After expressing interest in wanting to remain a Minnesota Viking, the powers that be within the Vikings organization passed on Sam Darnold who reportedly wanted a similar deal to what the Seattle Seahawks offered him. Minnesota made Darnold’s decision easy by not matching their deal; he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in the 2025 offseason and nonchalantly put up another 14-win season, while going on to win Super Bowl LX, something the Vikings have yet to accomplish since becoming a team in 1961. Yikes. 

At this point, that narrative has been beaten to death. As a die-hard Vikings fan myself, it hurts more every time to hear that. However, it is important to take ownership as we must learn from our mistakes. Because here we are in the same situation we were in 2024 with a win-now roster and signing a former high-end draft pick to a one-year deal. It goes without saying that this team and management learned their lesson. They made a public statement by firing former general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, on the final year of his contract. They simply cannot afford to make another blunder of a move like that. Otherwise, this coaching staff might share the same fate as Kwesi. 

Fast forward to March 12 of this year, Kyler Murray signs with the Vikings. In terms of NFL money, the deal is akin to a ham sandwich as it is a one-year deal worth $1.3 million, per ESPN. For the former first overall pick in the 2019 draft, that is an absolute steal. This was a win-win for both the Vikings and Murray. The Vikings are strapped for cash, and they desperately need an improvement at the QB position. They simply cannot rely on JJ McCarthy for many reasons, which are too many to list in my opinion. Murray wins by joining arguably the best roster he has ever been a part of and still makes an additional $36.8 million that is due from the Cardinals and his contract with them.  

Murray was a 1^st overall pick for a reason; the guy is talented to say the least and some of his accolades are impressive: 2019 offensive rookie of the year, two-time pro bowler, 2018 Heisman winner. So far in his career he has over 20,000 passing yards, 3,193 rushing yards, 121 passing touchdowns, and 32 rushing touchdowns. Kyler Murray is a baller who just needs the right situation and to stay healthy. I firmly believe we offer that situation for him to flourish as head coach Kevin O’Connell’s (KOC) offense is predicated on deep pass concepts, something Murray excels at. KOC has a history of getting the most out of his QBs. Look at what he did with Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold. He got both of those guys paid big time. The jury is still out on JJ McCarthy, who still has a chance to develop, but the Vikings do not have the luxury of putting all their eggs in that basket again. 

Although Murray was cut by the Arizona Cardinals, who wanted to move on from him, it doesn’t have to be viewed from a purely negative lens. Yes, he struggled at times in that offense and dealt with injuries, but you don’t have to dig deep to learn that the Arizona Cardinals have been somewhat of a dysfunctional team and organization. You pair Kyler Murray with arguably the best skilled position group he’s ever had along with a better offensive line than he had in Arizona and the potential for a big season is palpable. If this one-year deal pans out, there is no way the Minnesota Vikings will let another Sam Darnold situation happen with Murray. 

Despite some backlash around the internet to the signing, I argue that Kyler to the Vikings makes too much sense and should be seen as an improvement at the QB position. If nothing else, Murray raises the floor on our offense. McCarthy and Murray will get a chance to compete for the starting job, but at this point it’s safe to say Murray is the favorite to start the season. Whether you agree or disagree with the move, this should be a fun season to watch.