Former Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. With Murray already owed $36.8 million from Arizona, his one-year contract with the Vikings will be for the veteran league minimum. Murray is expected to compete for the starting job and, in all likelihood, be the starter for the upcoming season. Minnesota made this deal with the 2019 number one overall pick after a season in which they missed the playoffs with a 9–8 record.
Photo Cred: AZ Cardinals
Former number ten overall pick J.J. McCarthy spent his rookie season watching from the sidelines after a preseason injury shut him down for the entire year. Minnesota was able to resurrect journeyman bust Sam Darnold’s career, going 13–4 and having the number 12 offense in the NFL that season. The Vikings opted not to retain Darnold, seeing as they had just used their first-round pick on McCarthy, and the move has proved to be disastrous so far. Darnold had another solid season with the Seahawks, who also won the Super Bowl, while Minnesota was held back by horrific quarterback play.
The Vikings’ offense plummeted to the 27th-ranked unit in the league with the change at quarterback. Not only did McCarthy fail to play at even a mediocre level, he also raised questions about his durability, as he was only able to play in ten games due to more injuries. Minnesota still going 9–8 with arguably the worst quarterback play in the league shows how good their overall roster and coaching are, and they are clearly hoping they can repeat the formula they had with Darnold in the upcoming season with Murray.
Photo Cred: The Sports Rush
Murray has also battled injuries and has been consistently mediocre throughout his career. He has strict limitations due to his stature, as he stands at only 5’9”. The Vikings’ offense is called by their head coach, Kevin O’Connell, whose system has required quarterbacks to throw over the middle of the field on a frequent basis. He will have to adapt his scheme and become creative in order to maximize Murray, who is notorious for not being able to throw over the middle of the field, as he has trouble seeing over the offensive line.
Luckily for both Murray and O’Connell, the Vikings have one of the three best wide receiver duos in the league with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jefferson is still arguably the best wide receiver in the league, but he continues to be held back by mediocre or bad quarterbacks. O’Connell’s offense will probably incorporate more throws outside the numbers and actions that put Murray on the move so he can get cleaner lines of vision to read down the field.
Minnesota has already fired their general manager. Some speculate that O’Connell is on the hot seat heading into this season despite his consistent regular-season success, since he has still yet to win a playoff game in his tenure. The talent is there for both Murray and the Vinking’s offense to thrive this season.
