Vikings May Have to Box Out One Team for Kyler Murray

Betting markets suggest that the Minnesota Vikings are the frontrunners to acquire Kyler Murray in 2026. But one team cannot be ruled out as an alternate suitor: the New York Jets.

Minnesota’s Murray pursuit could turn into a Vikings-Jets tug-of-war, depending on Murray’s fate: trade or release.

Of course, it’s not a foregone conclusion that Minnesota will pursue Murray; the Vikings’ actions will prove yes or no in the next few weeks. Keep an eye on the Jets, too, as Murray’s other would-be destination.

Vikings and Jets Could Battle for Kyler Murray

Murray has to go somewhere, and it could be a binary choice between the Vikings and the Jets.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell on Murray to NYJ

Barnwell took on the upcoming quarterback carousel this week, outlining trades that made sense for the quarterback in question and the teams in need.

On Murray to the Jets, he wrote, “Jets get: QB Kyler Murray, 2026 sixth-round pick. Cardinals get: 2026 fourth-round pick. Aaron Glenn turned over nearly his entire staff after a disappointing first year, when the Jets were abysmal on both sides of the football. For most of the first half of the season, Glenn couldn’t decide whether to bench Justin Fields, and when Fields went down with an injury, the results from Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook weren’t much better.”

“Glenn could be coaching for his job in Year 2, and though he will trust his ability to turn around the defense, finding a veteran quarterback who can win a few games is critical. Swapping a Day 3 selection for a quarterback who ranked 14th in Total QBR over the past two years won’t hurt an organization that has a ton of draft capital after the Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner trades.”

The Cardinals are reportedly somewhat comfortable embarking on the 2026 season with last year’s QB2, now QB1, Jacoby Brissett.

Barnwell continued, “Jets fans would love to add their quarterback of the future after seeing Sam Darnold thrive in Seattle, but they also haven’t had even league-average QB play in a season since Josh McCown put together a solid year for the Jets in 2017.”

“It’s never fun to see the face of the franchise dealt for a Day 3 pick, but I would suspect that the new staff was interviewed and hired with the understanding that Murray wouldn’t be staying in Arizona for much longer. So a Murray trade might be about landing the best available deal instead of waiting for the right one.”

Since the beginning of the offseason, with the assumption that the Las Vegas Raiders will draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, two teams always made the most sense for Murray: Minnesota and New York. And now here are — with those franchises as the two pace-setters to net his services.

Steelers and Falcons as Dark Horses?

Most NFL teams have a quarterback plan in motion by now. A handful of teams do not, including the Vikings and Jets.

Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers could lurk as a dark horse for Murray. Aaron Rodgers probably won’t formally retire until he absorbs the most offseason attention possible, but at what point would the Steelers’ brass tell him no thanks and sign Murray if Arizona releases the 28-year-old? Most would consider a 28-year-old Murray an upgrade over 42-year-old Rodgers.

What’s more, the Atlanta Falcons could also peek at Murray, with Kirk Cousins on tap to be released and Michael Penix Jr. recovering from his third career ACL tear.

Other offshoot suitors if Murray is gettable for cheap? The Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts.

A Release by Cardinals Could Change Everything

The current kicker on Murray is straightforward: Will the Cardinals release Murray or trade him? If traded, Murray’s next team will take on a fat contract that would almost certainly be restructured. With a release, well, the Cardinals foot the entire bill.

Recent momentum suggests Arizona could cut Murray, as perhaps no team will take the bait on a trade and the contract. A free-agent Murray is a game-changer. What quasi-quarterback-needy team wouldn’t want him for something in the ballpark of the league minimum?

If Murray is released, the Vikings absolutely must pursue him. The value would be off the charts. The same mentality applies to the Jets, Steelers, or Dolphins.

Murray Would Probably Pick MIN over NYJ if Decision Is Left to Him

If you use social media, you likely know this factoid by now: Murray grew up cheering for the Vikings. He was reared in the Adrian Peterson era, and he’s told reporters numerous times that Minnesota was his squad.

Therefore, ask yourself: Would a free-agent Murray, who would have free will to pick his next team, pick the Jets, a franchise historically and habitually mired by dysfunction? Or would he pick his favorite team as a lad that also employs Justin Jefferson, the quarterback whisperer head coach, and Brian Flores?

A no-brainer.