Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold won his maiden Super Bowl in his first season with the franchise last season. It came after his renaissance with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.
NFL analyst Colin Cowherd predicted that Kyler Murray would be the “next Sam Darnold” if he signed with the Vikings, valued at $6,250,000,000 by Forbes. The quarterback was released by the Arizona Cardinals at the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
“Who’s the next Sam Darnold? An elite quarterback on the cheap,” Cowherd said on Thursday on “The Herd.” “It’s Kyler Murray if he goes to Minnesota.”
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Murray was limited five games in 2025 due to a foot injury. He had a 2-3 record and tallied 962 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. The Pro Bowl quarterback finished the season on injured reserve.
The Cardinals released Murray despite owing him $36.8 million in guaranteed money from his five-year, $230.5 million extension signed in 2022.
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Vikings named “overwhelming favorites” to sign ex-Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray appeared in just one playoff game during his time in Arizona, losing in the wild-card round to the LA Rams in 2021. The Pro Bowl quarterback posted a heartfelt message on X following his release on Wednesday.
“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Murray tweeted. “I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us. I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best.
“I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next. I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.”
The Vikings are the “overwhelming favorites” to sign Murray in free agency, according to ESPN. He could compete for the starting role with J.J. McCarthy, who has been troubled by injuries in his first two NFL seasons.