Why ESPN sees Vikings' Kyler Murray signing as a win-win
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Why ESPN sees Vikings' Kyler Murray signing as a win-win originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The Minnesota Vikings made waves this offseason when they signed Kyler Murray in free agency. Why? Because they already had J.J. McCarthy.
After a rough 2025 season, for most, it was clear that Minnesota needed a veteran quarterback to take this franchise where it needed to go.
So, Murray signed on the cheap, and now many think he has the starting job to lose for Kevin McConnell's offense as OTAs get underway.
And for ESPN's Bill Barnwell, he's named Murray's signing as Minnesota's best this season, detailing why it's a great move for the NFC North franchise.
"Even if you think Murray is the 20th-best quarterback in football, we've seen lesser QBs sign for massive deals in recent years in free agency,” Barnwell wrote. “Barring the opportunity cost of finding out that McCarthy's suddenly the quarterback they expected to land in the first round two years ago, the Murray acquisition offers virtually no downside and a massive amount of upside.”
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Can Murray lead Vikings to playoffs?
Well, the Vikings wouldn't have signed him if they didn't think that, right? Seen as a team that is in "win now" mode, the Vikings clearly have a higher ceiling with Kyler than they do J.J.
Of course, Murray has to beat out McCarthy first, and if/when he does, the Vikings will look be a vastly different proposition to face in 2026.
But let's not forget the division Minnesota is in. The Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions are all set to be among the NFC's elite this season, so making the playoffs looks tough already. However, with Murray, the Vikings have a better shot at upsetting the apple cart than they do with McCarthy.
A veteran on a cheap deal who has all the tools to make a playoff run? That's why it's a win-win for Minnesota.
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