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Vikings QB Move Is Getting Buzz as a Top Value Play

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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at the New York Giants in 2025.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

There was only one question people really wanted answered this offseason when it came to the Minnesota Vikings: the Big Vikings QB Decision. We finally got our answer when Kyler Murray was signed. And now that decision is being hailed as one of the best value moves of the offseason.

The Murray Move Is Drawing Value Praise

Injuries and poor play at QB derailed the Vikings’ 2025 season, and entering the 2026 season with just JJ McCarthy and Max Brosmer wasn’t going to cut it. The Vikings raised their ceiling by signing Murray, and doing so to a one-year, $1.3 million contract brings very little downside. He might not have lived up to his first-overall draft pick status, but he is a highly capable quarterback with seven seasons in the league as a starter.

Vikings QB Kyler Murray
Quarterback Kyler Murray sits in the front row as Jonathan Gannon is introduced as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals during a news conference at the Cardinals training facility in Tempe on Feb. 16, 2023.
Nfl New Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Jonathan Gannon. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Adding a player like that to your QB room at a basement price while another franchise is forced to pick up the tab after the Arizona Cardinals released him is excellent work from the Vikings. The great value is undeniable, which is why Murray’s move to Minnesota made the list for Pro Football Focus’ best value signings of the 2026 free agency.

PFF Gives the Vikings QB Move a Strong Endorsement

PFF put forward their best value signings of free agency. Murray was on there alongside Tariq Woolen, signing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Devin Bush, signing for the Chicago Bears, Rasheed Walker, signing for the Carolina Panthers, and Jaylinn Hawkins, signing for the Baltimore Ravens. Here is what PFF had to say about Murray and the Vikings.

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Releasing Kyler Murray with a post-June 1 designation meant the Cardinals were able to spread his dead cap hit across the next two seasons. But that only marginally softens the blow for Arizona, which is still saddled with a $47.5 million dead cap charge in 2026 (15.4% of the cap).

Additionally, due to offsets stemming from Murray’s release, the Vikings were able to pick up the former first-overall pick at the veteran minimum, leaving the Cardinals to pay the remainder of his guarantees next season (over $35 million).

There is virtually no downside to adding a highly capable option to your quarterback room at a basement price while another franchise is forced to pick up the tab. While Murray hasn’t lived up to his lofty billing,

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has a strong track record for quarterback development (see: Sam Darnold). If O’Connell can bring the best out of Murray, this signing could morph into a long-term affair. The Vikings need viable options at quarterback after ranking 31st in PFF passing grade (47.6) this past season. Put plainly, running it back with J.J. McCarthy (60.1 PFF passing grade, 35th out of 43 qualifying quarterbacks) and Carson Wentz(50.0, 40th) isn’t going to cut it. Don’t be surprised if Murray wins the job in camp. 

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It’s difficult to argue that the Vikings aren’t getting good value here, even if you aren’t a big fan of Murray. You won’t get a better QB for such a little outlay. Understandably, the praise for this move from the Vikings has been coming in from all angles.

The Long-Term Vision

Murray got a no-franchise-tag clause in his contract, meaning this season is almost a dress rehearsal for both parties ahead of a big decision in a year. If Murray can have Darnold-like success playing for Kevin O’Connell, then the Vikings can’t make the same mistake twice. Murray will be on track for a big deal in 2027. If it doesn’t work out, then it costs Minnesota basically nothing to find out.

Sep 25, 2022; Glendale, Ariz., U.S.; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is grabbed by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals

The Vikings will then reassess McCarthy’s status and decide whether to take another look at a QB in the draft or pursue a different veteran passer.

Murray should be good enough to succeed on this team, and as long as he stays healthy, I expect we will be talking about a contract extension in due course.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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Trump says he feels ‘so badly’ after Tiger Woods’ rollover crash in Florida

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President Donald Trump addressed the daytime rollover crash involving Tiger Woods Friday that resulted in the 15-time major winner being arrested on a DUI charge after authorities suspected he was driving impaired. 

Speaking to reporters after arriving in Miami, the president spoke briefly about Woods. He said he was only aware of the accident at the time he made his remarks. 

Tiger Woods flipped car accident

Golfer Tiger Woods stands by his overturned vehicle in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026.  (Jason Oteri/AP)

“I feel so badly. He’s got some difficulty,” Trump said. “There was an accident, and that’s all I know. Very close friend of mine. He’s an amazing person, an amazing man, but some difficulty.”

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Woods is in a relationship with the president’s former daughter-in-law, Vanessa Trump.

He competed in the TGL championship earlier this week, where Vanessa Trump and her daughter, Kai Trump, were spotted in the stands. It was Woods’ return to competitive golf after he ruptured his Achilles last year ahead of the Masters.

Trump previously spoke out about the pair’s relationship, saying he gave Woods his blessing when they first spoke about it. 

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Tiger Woods and Donald Trump

President Donald Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods during an event at the White House in the Rose Garden.  (Scott Taetsch/USA Today Sports)

“He told me about it, and I said, ‘Tiger, that’s good, that’s good. I’m very happy for both.’ But they just let them both be happy. Let them both be happy. They’re both great,” Trump said in March 2025. 

TIGER WOODS ARRESTED ON DUI CHARGE IN FLORIDA AFTER ROLLOVER CRASH: ‘THIS COULD’VE BEEN A LOT WORSE’

Woods was charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a test after law enforcement said his vehicle collided with another vehicle Friday afternoon while he was driving impaired.

“DUI investigators came to the scene here, and Mr. Woods did exemplify signs of impairment. They did several tests on him. Of course, he did explain the injuries and the surgeries that he had. We did take that into account, but they did do some in-depth roadside tests,” Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek said during a news conference Friday.

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Tiger Woods rollover crash

This photo provided by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office shows skid marks near the overturned vehicle in a rollover crash involving Tiger Woods in Jupiter Island, Fla., Friday, March 27, 2026.  (Martin County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

“We really weren’t suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case, and that proved to be true at the jail. … But when it came time for us to ask for a urinalysis test, he refused. And, so, he’s been charged with DUI, with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.”

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The five-time Augusta National winner was noncommittal about playing at this year’s Masters recently, but Trump said during an interview on “The Five” Thursday that Woods would be at Augusta but would not play.

Fox News Digital’s Ryan Morik contributed to this report. 

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3 players who could pick up the most wickets in today’s RCB vs SRH match

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The 19th edition of IPL 2026 will kick off on Saturday, March 28. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will lock horns with the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the season opener at their fortress – M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The Rajat Patidar-led side will have a challenging game as they are without their premier bowler, Josh Hazlewood, for their opening game. Meanwhile, Yash Dayal is unavailable for the entire season due to personal reasons. There are also question marks about Nuwan Thusara, who is yet to receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) due to fitness issues.

Similarly, SRH will be without their regular captain and ace pacer, Pat Cummins. They recently replaced injured Jack Edwards with David Payne. In this article, we take a look at three bowlers who might emerge as the leading wicket-takers in the opening game of the 2026 season. Take a look below:

Harshal Patel

Harshal Patel - Source: GettyHarshal Patel - Source: Getty
Harshal Patel – Source: Getty

Harshal Patel is often known as Purple Patel owing to his promising record in the IPL. The speedster has scalped 151 wickets in 119 matches at an economy rate of 8.86. The 35-year-old is only third active pacer to bag more than 150 wickets in the tournament after Bhuvneshwar Kumar (198) and Jasprit Bumrah (183). Notably, Patel took 32 and 24 wickets in the 2021 and 2024 editions for RCB and Punjab Kings (PBKS), respectively.

Harshal is known for his ability to vary pace, which yields him the results, particularly in the death overs. The Gujarat-born pacer took 16 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 9.80, including two four-fers in IPL 2025. Against RCB, he has scalped seven wickets in six games at an economy rate of 10.91, including 3/38. The SunRisers retained for INR 8 crore ahead of IPL 2026 auction.

Krunal Pandya

Krunal Pandya - Source: GettyKrunal Pandya - Source: Getty
Krunal Pandya – Source: Getty

Krunal Pandya proved to be one of the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) for RCB last season. The left-arm spinner picked up 17 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 8.23. With 3/29 against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), he made an impressive debut for the Bengaluru-based franchise before returning with career-best figures of 4/45 against the Mumbai Indians (MI).

Pandya is equally effective in the powerplay as in the slog overs. With 93 scalps in 142 games, he’s on the verge of completing his 100 wickets in the T20 league. The 2025 champions retained him for INR 5.75 crore ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

Shivam Mavi

Shivam Mavi - Source: GettyShivam Mavi - Source: Getty
Shivam Mavi – Source: Getty

SRH bought Shivam Mavi at a steal of INR 75 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction. The medium pacer has established a solid experience during his stint with KKR from 2018 to 2022, picking up 30 wickets in 32 matches at an economy rate of 8.70. He then warmed the bench with the Gujarat Titans (GT) before an injury cut short his stint with the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in 2024. As a result, Mavi will be keen to make the most of his comeback. Earlier this year, he picked up 7/59 against Vidarbha in a first-class match.

Besides IPL, Mavi has also tasted international experience. In addition, he has represented India in six T20Is, picking up seven wickets at an economy rate of 8.78. With skipper Cummins ruled out of the first matches for the SunRisers, Mavi might be Harshal’s new partner in crime in the fast-bowling department. While Harshal will try to create pressure from the other end, Mavi could be one bearing the fruit.

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