Kyler Murray Free Agency: Adam Schefter Says Vikings Are the Team to Watch After Cardinals Release
Kyler Murray's seven-year run with the Arizona Cardinals is officially over, and the NFL world is now zeroing in on where the dual-threat quarterback lands next. ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed Monday, March 9, that Murray will not sign with anyone until Wednesday at the earliest — but the race to land him is already well underway.
Adam Schefter: No Kyler Murray Deal Until Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. ET
Speaking on ESPN's Get Up!, Schefter was direct about the timeline: "Starting at noon today we're gonna see players changing teams and agreements being reached. We are not going to see anything with Kyler Murray until 4 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday at the earliest."
Murray cannot sign with anyone officially until March 11 because he is still technically an Arizona Cardinal until the new league year begins. He has not signed with anyone as of Monday, March 9 — not because the market is cold, but because the process is not fully official yet.
Schefter laid out the opportunity plainly: "He becomes one of the top quarterbacks available in the free agent market, and there will be interest in him. He comes with an inexpensive price tag. The Arizona Cardinals are already paying him $36.8 million in guaranteed money for this year. So Kyler Murray can now sit back and cherry-pick the option and organization that he wants."
Minnesota Vikings Emerge as Heavy Favorites to Sign Kyler Murray
The Vikings have emerged as the team most often tied to Murray in reports. NFL Network reported that Minnesota has become the favorite to sign Murray once his release becomes official, while Axios Twin Cities also listed Murray among the veteran quarterbacks the Vikings are targeting as they sort out their 2026 quarterback plan.
Kevin O'Connell's offensive system in Minnesota is widely viewed as ideal for a passer with Murray's mobility and quick-release style — a scheme that could finally unlock the player Arizona always hoped he would become.
Murray's camp has two preferred destinations in mind, a source told ESPN, though neither team name was confirmed. Murray preferred a release over a trade specifically so he could control his own landing spot rather than being sent somewhere against his wishes.
Kyler Murray Cardinals Career Ends After Seven Seasons and $230M Deal
Murray finishes his time in Arizona with a 38-48-1 record and just one playoff appearance — a stark contrast to the excitement that surrounded his arrival as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019. The release carries massive financial consequences for the Cardinals, who will absorb approximately $55 million in dead cap space.
The Cardinals had hoped to execute a trade for weeks but found no takers willing to absorb Murray's contract. By releasing him before the fifth day of the new league year, Arizona avoided triggering an additional $19.5 million in guaranteed money owed for the 2027 season.
Murray posted an emotional farewell on X: "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. I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77-year drought for this organization. I am sorry I failed us."
Cardinals Replace Murray With Gardner Minshew, Eyes on Draft
The Arizona Cardinals moved quickly to address the vacancy, reaching agreement on a one-year deal with Gardner Minshew worth up to $8 million in incentives. Minshew, who most recently played with the Kansas City Chiefs, will now join his fourth team in four seasons.
The Cardinals hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft but are unlikely to use it on a quarterback. Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is universally projected to go No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, and Arizona's front office is not expected to reach for a second quarterback in the class with that high a pick.
Murray officially becomes a free agent Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET — and the Minnesota Vikings are standing by, waiting to make their move the moment he is cleared to sign.
