Kyler Murray Must Save the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have not employed a franchise quarterback for more than 5.5 consecutive seasons since Fran Tarkenton, and that was about 50 years ago. Kirk Cousins, Daunte Culpepper, and Tommy Kramer have done admirably in their roles in the last several decades, but the club simply lacks starting quarterback longevity.

Now, Kyler Murray is in town with a chance to solve that problem, and as early as right now, he must embrace the role of the Vikings’ savior. It’s all right in front of him, tailor-made even.

Here’s how and why.

The Case for Kyler Murray as Minnesota’s Missing Piece

Vikings Finished 2025 with a Winning Record Despite 5th-Worst QB Play

Between J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer, the Vikings ranked 28th via Dropback EPA in 2025 – – meaning Minnesota featured the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback play. They still finished 9-8, and in fact, were one win away from the final game of the season against the Green Bay Packers being a battle for the NFC North crown.

All Murray has to avoid is living in the cellar of quarterback performance. For example, if he can be the 15th-best quarterback in all of the land this season, perhaps Minnesota can finish in the neighborhood of 11-6 or 12-5, instead of a 9-8 eighth seed.

Murray Has Never Really Had a Defense Like This

Here’s the telling statistic about the Arizona Cardinals’ defense while Murray led them as QB1:

Arizona gave Murray a sweet defense one time. Since Brian Flores came aboard the Vikings’ coaching staff in 2023, the Vikings ranked second overall per the same EPA/Play metric. To sum it up: Murray departs one of the NFL’s worst defenses in Arizona for one of the best in Minnesota. He won’t be asked to be godly all the time anymore.

Just Get the Ball to the Playmakers

Unlike the defense in Arizona, Murray actually did have decent playmakers during his seven-year run. Larry Fitzgerald, Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., James Conner and others can tell you all about it.

But he never had this setup in the same season:

• Justin Jefferson (WR)
• Jordan Addison (WR)
• Jauan Jennings (WR)
• T.J. Hockenson (TE)
• Aaron Jones (RB)
• Jordan Mason (RB)

On paper, Murray has the most skilled weapon allotment of his life. Just get the ball out, and let everyone eat.

Stay Healthy!

Murray has a job in Minnesota for one big reason: over two seasons, McCarthy couldn’t stay healthy enough for the Vikings to assess whether he has the juice to be a franchise quarterback. McCarthy has missed 73% of all Vikings games since the franchise drafted him in 2024.

Yet, Murray isn’t Iron Man, either. He’s missed 26% of all career starts due to injury. If that percentage directly translated to the Vikings in 2026, he’d started 13 games.

Minnesota needs Murray to spread the ball around to reputable playmakers, let the defense do the rest, and for the love of all that is holy – – stay healthy. Two of the last three Vikings seasons have been shattered by quarterback injuries (2023 and 2025).

Sam Darnold Raised the Bar in 2024

Is all of this possible? Why, yes. Yes, it is.

How do we know? Sam Darnold already did it. Before the guy vaporized in Minnesota’s two most important games of 2024, he dimed 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns as the Vikings’ signal-caller. The team finished 14-3 that season.

Had that never happened, expecting a productive season from Murray and subsequent fancy win-loss records might be unfair. It’s not, though, because Darnold already authored the blueprint.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell cooks when he has a decent veteran quarterback under center; the franchise is merely mediocre when players like Jaren Hall, Max Brosmer, and McCarthy are in the huddle. Murray is closer to Darnold, Kirk Cousins, and Nick Mullens than Hall, Brosmer, and McCarthy.

O’Connell Needs the Postseason

O’Connell enters Year No. 5 in Minnesota without a playoff win. Most coaches aren’t allowed to do that. They get fired before seeing a fifth season. Somehow, O’Connell is different and has the express approval of the Vikings’ ownership, evidenced by the fact that Mark and Zygi Wilf fired O’Connell’s boss, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, in January – – and not O’Connell.

Nevertheless, O’Connell needs the playoff dub soon. How long can a head coach maintain employment with postseason triumphs? It’s not a forever grace period.

It’s up to O’Connell to empower Murray – – to keep his buttocks off the hot seat.

Murray’s Career Pivot Point Is Now

Is Murray’s NFL career in the balance? It is not. But in 2026, he can firmly reestablish himself as a top-tier quarterback – – or he can leave the Vikings next March and latch on somewhere like the New York Jets or Cleveland Browns and become a budding journeyman passer.

Some NFL fans flat-out think Murray isn’t very good. Fringe offseason discourse makes him sound closer to Will Levis than Baker Mayfield. Well, with the Vikings, Murray can make himself Mayfield-ish – – a guy signed for cheap who sticks around that franchise for years, not months.

It’s right in front of Murray. The Vikings need him to embrace the savior role and perhaps become the first Vikings quarterback in 50+ years to lead the team for more than 5.5 years.

Murray is 29. He’s young enough to make Minnesota his permanent employer.

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VikesNow Verdict: The Vikings need healthy, competent quarterback play from Murray behind an elite defense and loaded skill group. If Murray supplies that, Minnesota can return to January – – and his career can change with it.
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About The Author

Dustin Baker

Dustin Baker is the co-founder and editor of VikesNow, a novelist, a writer at CBS Sports, and a political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders, is out now, along with his debut thriller, The Motor Route. He hosts VikesNow on YouTube and has followed the Minnesota Vikings intently since 1996. Guilty pleasures include peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors.

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