Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray surveys the Vikings protection throughout a Week 13 spotlight clip on Dec. 1, 2024, from Minnesota’s matchup with Arizona. The veteran passer operated the Cardinals offense whereas Minnesota’s protection aligned earlier than the snap, establishing one other key sequence proven within the NFL’s official regular-season highlights package deal from that afternoon. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason was highlighted by one main transfer — signing Kyler Murray after the Arizona Cardinals kicked him out of city. Three months later, USA Right this moment has determined that Murray turning purple is a Prime 12 offseason transfer across the NFL.
USA Right this moment‘s Nick Brinkerhoff ranked all the most effective offseason strikes final week, and Murray to Minnesota checked in at No. 12.
Nationwide Reward Builds Round Vikings’ Low-Price QB Swing
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray warms up close to midfield after the nationwide anthem, getting ready for a street NFC West matchup on Dec. 22, 2019, at CenturyLink Subject in Seattle, Washington, throughout his rookie season as Arizona closed the regular-season stretch towards the Seahawks in a loud divisional setting that afternoon. Necessary Credit score: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports activities.
USA Right this moment: Murray No. 12 on Offseason Listing
Simply forward of the Philadelphia Eagles’ draft-night commerce for large receiver Makai Lemon (No. 13), Murray to Minnesota checked in.
Brinkerhoff wrote, “The Vikings didn’t receive good enough quarterback play in 2025. For the second year in a row, injuries were the story of J.J. McCarthy’s season and Sam Darnold wasn’t there to save him this time.”
“Murray has his faults, but he is proven and has never played in an offense like Kevin O’Connell’s. Either Murray pushes McCarthy to be the best version of himself, or Murray takes over the starting job. It’s hard to be against either option.”
Different pundits, too, have been excessive on Murray to the Vikings, primarily as a result of head coach Kevin O’Connell cooked with Sam Darnold in 2024. Murray might observe swimsuit.
The Potential
Murray can resume his profession with no drop-off by any means if he’s within the temper. The Vikings’ offense presents a playground of weapons, together with a quarterback-whispering head coach. Had Murray joined the Miami Dolphins, for instance, he would’ve thrown the soccer to pass-catchers Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, Malik Washington, and Greg Dulcich. As a substitute, he will get Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and T.J. Hockenson. Every little thing is in place for Murray to cook dinner.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray’s No. 1 jersey is proven intimately throughout recreation motion towards the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 26, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, capturing a decent visible of the veteran passer’s uniform as Arizona confronted a well-known NFC West opponent in one other divisional matchup. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities.
And for a person who averages about 4,000 passing yards, 30 whole touchdowns, and 600 dashing yards each 17 begins, the 2 events ought to collide in stunning concord.
In the event you recall Baker Mayfield’s profession turnaround in Tampa Bay three years in the past, Murray can observe that actual path within the Twin Cities. Hell, the 2 guys had been drafted first general one 12 months aside and had been teammates in faculty.
Different Notable Strikes from MIN
The Vikings additionally fired up different noteworthy strikes. ones that weren’t fairly as applauded at a nationwide degree:
Employed Nolan Teasley from the Seattle Seahawks as common supervisor
Signed CB3 James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers
Traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles
Signed WR Jauan Jennings from the San Francisco 49ers
Drafted DT Caleb Banks, LB Jake Golday, DT Domonique Orange, OT Caleb Tiernan, and DB Jakobe Thomas within the first 4 rounds of the draft
Reset the Wage Cap
Minnesota additionally added veteran deal with Ryan Van Demark, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert famous in March, “The Vikings needed a robust option for their swing tackle considering the health issues their starting tackles faced last season. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw played in only 10 games, and left five of those early, while dealing with the aftereffects of an October 2024 injury to his left knee.”
“After the season, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah admitted the Vikings needed to be ‘more mindful’ of insurance at the position. Right tackle Brian O’Neill, meanwhile, missed three games because of various ailments.”
Minnesota didn’t spend massive during the last a number of months, however the franchise obtained a facelift.
On Greenard + Myles Garrett to LAR Takes the Cake
Talking of Greenard to Philadelphia, Breinkerhoff ranked that transaction No. 10 on his record: “A shoulder injury slowed Greenard’s 2025 season, limiting him to just three sacks after two consecutive seasons with at least 12. Expect the pass-rusher to return to form in 2026 with the Eagles, who collect defensive line talent as a hobby.”
“Surrounded by the likes of Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and others, Greenard’s path to the quarterback just got a lot easier. And it only cost the Eagles a pair of third-round picks. That’s some good business.”
Minnesota Vikings linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel have fun after a defensive play, bringing seen power to the entrance seven on Dec. 14, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, throughout first-half motion towards the Dallas Cowboys as Minnesota’s aggressive move rush helped set the tone on the street early. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Pictures.
Garrett to the Los Angeles led the best way, as Brinkerhoff defined, “One of the biggest trades in NFL history tops the charts here. Shocking, right? The Garrett deal rocked the football world in more ways than one, establishing a super team in the City of Angels.”
“With no clear areas of weakness across the depth chart, the Rams might be the team to beat. At the very least, you won’t want to play against them in Madden. On the bright side for the other 31 teams, they play games in real life. And that might be the only bright side when the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year joins arguably the league’s best team.”
Vikings coaching camp begins in lower than 4 weeks.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
