Kyler Murray Gets the Sam Darnold Treatment

The top priority for the Vikings this offseason was the addition of another passer to provide competition for J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota’s decision-makers found Kyler Murray in free agency, a two-time Pro Bowler who was looking for a new job after being put on Arizona’s chopping block.

Widely expected to win the quarterback competition over McCarthy, Murray could rejuvenate his career in the Twin Cities, where Sam Darnold did just that two years ago.

Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon thinks Murray could enjoy the same redemption arc in the upcoming season.

In recent years, the NFL has had one of those revival stories each year, starting with Geno Smith, Baker Mayfield, Darnold, and recently, Daniel Jones.

Gagnon wrote about Murray, “I’m not remotely ready to give up on Murray—one of the most uniquely talented players in the sport but a quarterback who consistently fell short during a seven-year run with the Cardinals that was tainted by injuries, coaching turnover, and a distinct lack of institutional support.”

The Cardinals had some talent on the roster in the first half of Murray’s tenure, but the team around him hadn’t been good in years.

“Like Watson, Murray made multiple Pro Bowls early in his career,” Gagnon added. “Unlike Watson, he has enjoyed some success as recently as 2024 and has avoided off-field controversy. Plus, he now joins a Minnesota offense that features one of the most dominant receivers in football and a strong offensive line.”

Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray were amongst the best passers in football in 2020, but Watson’s career took a serious tumble due to the off-field disaster and declining play, while Murray continued to perform at a solid level when available.

In 2024, Murray led a subpar Cardinals squad to an 8-9 record with 26 touchdowns (five rushing). Injuries derailed his 2025 season and he logged only a handful of games. A torn ACL also cost him time in 2022 and 2023. Without Murray, the Cardinals have a record of 5-25 since he was drafted in 2019.

“Murray just has to beat out 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, which shouldn’t be a problem considering just how poorly McCarthy has performed when healthy. And another way to look at it is that McCarthy could push Murray without actually doing enough to overtake him on the depth chart. This Vikings squad was a legitimate contender with 14 wins in 2024, so if a 29-year-old Murray can become comfortable and experience a rejuvenation under Kevin O’Connell, the sky’s the limit for both player and team.”

McCarthy still has a chance and it’s certainly not unprecedented that a 23-year-old signal-caller improves in a full offseason, but Murray’s experience and proven track record certainly give him the edge in the eyes of many.

Whoever gets the nod will have the benefit of throwing the ball to the receiving trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Furthermore, having head coach Kevin O’Connell in the corner has proven to be a real asset, especially for veteran quarterbacks.

In fact, Darnold is the best example. A journeyman backup at that point, Darnold arrived in Minnesota in 2024 and suddenly earned Pro Bowl recognition for a 35-touchdown season. Sure, he brought some god-given talent with him, but so does Murray, who has the arm talent and the legs to be a dangerous weapon in the passing game.

The Vikings bet that Murray is the next QB to revitalize his career. The former first overall pick will be supported by a strong offensive ecosystem and a defense that doesn’t require him to become Superman on a weekly basis and can take pressure off his shoulders.

The blueprint is there, but only time will tell if the theory can, indeed, become reality.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt