Oct 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Amazon Prime analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick speaks throughout a broadcast previous to a recreation between the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens at Onerous Rock Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos
Typically talking, former NFLer Ryan Fitzpatrick expects huge issues from new Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray — however he doesn’t suppose the prosperity will final.
Murray is tentatively anticipated to win the Vikings’ QB1 job this summer time, and in response to Fitzpatrick, he’ll play nicely in 2026 and get stale thereafter.
Murray Will Cook dinner — However There’s a Catch
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) appears to be like on after a win over the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium, with Nov. 12, 2023 marking the postgame scene in Glendale, Arizona. Murray stands on the sector after serving to Arizona end off Atlanta in entrance of the house crowd throughout a hard-fought afternoon. Necessary Credit score: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Fitzpatrick on Murray
Fitzpatrick delivered his Murray-themed takes on The Wealthy Eisen Present, stating, “I think his best year with Minnesota will be his first year, and if they keep him after that, it’s going to trail off because some of the issues that came up in Arizona are going to be the same issues that follow him. I don’t know that it’s a maturity issue.”
“I just think, with Kyler Murray, what are his strengths? All the things that you can measure, those are the things that he’s always been unbelievable at. I think it’s just been some of the intangibles where he has struggled, fitting into a locker room and being able to elevate a team to the next level.”
Seeing whether or not Murray performs nicely and maintains the tempo is nicely price it for the Vikings, who signed Murray for $1.3 million in March.
“So I just think in Year 1, you’re not going to have to worry about those things because they’ll take care of themselves. It’s easy in Year 1 because everything is new. As you go on in the same spot for multiple years, those things become much more important,” Fitzpatrick, who began 147 video games within the NFL, continued.
“That’s what I’m saying as to why I think this year is going to be great, but it’s going to be a one-year experiment that starts out great and tails off from there.”
Tailing Off in 2027 Is a 2027 Drawback and Definitely worth the Gamble
Hear, if Murray is planning on cooking with the 2026 Vikings, however Fitzpatrick thinks the chance is that he may fall off a 12 months later, that’s a crapshoot a staff have to be prepared to take. For instance, Sam Darnold thrived for the Vikings in 16 video games. Then, he collapsed in his seventeenth and 18th begins, ruining the 2024 marketing campaign. Minnesota’s response? Dump Darnold and embark on the J.J. McCarthy period — which led the Vikings to the right here and now, signing Murray to maybe rectify their quarterback conundrum.
NFL TV analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick stands on the sideline at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 26, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York, earlier than the Buffalo Payments’ matchup towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fitzpatrick surveys the sector earlier than kickoff as broadcast crews put together for the Thursday evening setting in acquainted AFC East territory. Necessary Credit score: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports activities.
In the meantime, Darnold received a Tremendous Bowl in Seattle.
So, the Vikings owe it to themselves to audition Murray in 2026, and if he’s productive, they’ll have a “cross that bridge when they get their problem” concerning Fitzpatrick’s prediction.
Accidents to Monitor, Too
The bigger issues about Murray are his measurement and subsequent harm historical past. He’s solely about 5’10” — relying on the measurer — and misses extra video games than most franchise quarterbacks. By seven seasons, Murray has missed 26% of all eligible video games, that means he’s because of miss 3-4 per 12 months.
Whereas Fitzpatrick could concern a sophomore hunch for Murray within the Twin Cities, Vikings followers ought to spend most of their time considering Murray’s sturdiness with regards to his weaknesses. He’s performed full seasons thrice in his profession — 2019, 2020, and 2024 — after which that’s it.
Optimists will say he’s due for a whole season sans accidents. Fingers crossed.
Supreme Vikings QB Depth This Time Round
Minnesota just isn’t messing round at quarterback this time. In 2023, the season was ruined when Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens was harm on the time, too, so the Vikings fired off a cheap commerce for Joshua Dobbs, whereas experimenting with rookie Jaren Corridor. The membership in the end flamed out as a result of there was no QB1 stability and missed the postseason.
In 2025, McCarthy couldn’t keep wholesome, and Carson Wentz’s shoulder was fried by Halloween. Minnesota turned to Max Brosmer, which shortly revealed a catastrophe. Brosmer was not prepared for the NFL, and in reality, posted extra bloopers than accomplished passes.
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray work via minicamp follow reps at TCO Efficiency Heart, with June 11, 2026 capturing Day 3 of staff highlights in Eagan, Minnesota. The reshaped quarterback room builds timing and command earlier than coaching camp, below Kevin O’Connell’s workers, throughout offseason work within the Twin Cities. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
Now, the purple staff has quarterback depth to stop this insanity. Between Murray, McCarthy, and Wentz, it’s subsequent to not possible that every one three could be misplaced for the season and spoil one other shot on the playoffs.
The Vikings have quarterback depth and two passers particularly, Murray and McCarthy, with one thing to show.
Quarterback struggles in 2027 ought to be left for 2027. If Murray succeeds in 2026, he has an opportunity to signal an enormous contract in Minnesota and stay the quarterback for the next-decade-plus. His age, 28, permits for that upside.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
