Two former first-round picks might as well get into a cage match for this one.
After Kyler Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year contract, everyone in the NFL world knew that he would be given a chance to start since QB J.J. McCarthy hasn’t inspired much hope that he is the signal-caller of the future through two seasons.
“There was a lot of interest in playing quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters, adding that the team cast a “pretty wide net” when looking at other options.
“I think we accomplished a goal, which was to add a really talented player with some experience to that room,” O’Connell added, via the Star Tribune. “It’s something I’m really excited about, as we set out to elevate the situation in that quarterback room, being very competitive.”
Murray had played his entire career for the Cardinals since being selected with the No. 1 pick in the 2019 draft, but made the playoffs just once, falling to the Rams in 2022 Wild Card Round.
Murray had his best seasons in the league in 2020 and 2021 while Kliff Kingsbury was head coach, according to Pro Football Focus, earning grades of 82.8 and 82.9 in those seasons.
Since then, his numbers have dropped off precipitously.
Last season, Murray had a 72.2 grade, 20th-best in the NFL.
Still, that’s an upgrade over McCarthy, who rated 33rd (61.8 grade), with only new Jets quarterback Geno Smith behind him.
With a quarterback competition expected, the Vikings have a lot to think about in terms of their future.
Murray’s one-year contract includes a “do not tag clause,” meaning they will not be allowed to franchise tag him at season’s end.
If the Vikings like Murray, he will need an extension.
For McCarthy, he had a terrible injury-marred second season and appeared to lose the confidence of the front office, as the general manager who drafted him and then allowed Sam Darnold to leave as a free agent was fired.
The Vikings went 9-8 last season and missed the playoffs after winning 14 games with Darnold as the starter the year prior.
