Vikings Fans Amused by Cardinals’ QB Struggles Post-Kyler Murray Release
The Minnesota Vikings entered the 2026 offseason with serious questions at quarterback. J.J. McCarthy missed most of his rookie year. He then battled injuries and inconsistent play in his second season.
Injuries and on-field struggles
McCarthy was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft. He missed five games with an ankle injury. He also missed time with a concussion and a small hairline fracture in his throwing hand.
The Michigan product finished with a 57.6 percent completion rate. He threw for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions across 10 games. Those numbers raised doubts about his status as the long-term starter.
Kyler Murray arrives in Minnesota
The Vikings signed Kyler Murray after his release from the Arizona Cardinals. It is not yet clear who will open the 2026 season as the starter.
Minnesota’s financial commitment to Murray is modest for 2026. The Cardinals, by contrast, will pay Murray $35.5 million in 2026. The Vikings are reportedly on the hook for only $1.3 million.
Jacoby Brissett takes over in Arizona
After Murray was benched following five starts, Jacoby Brissett became Arizona’s primary passer. Brissett started a dozen games and made 14 appearances overall.
He completed 64.9 percent of his passes. He threw for 3,366 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Those numbers would have appealed to many teams looking for stability.
Contract and offseason standoff
Brissett signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Arizona last March. Before that, he had 51 career starts and had mostly been viewed as a dependable backup since entering the league in 2016.
Ian Rapoport reported that Brissett is skipping Phase 1 of the Cardinals’ offseason program. He reportedly wants a contract extension that reflects starter pay.
According to Over The Cap, Brissett’s base salary for 2026 is $4.88 million. Only $1.5 million of his contract remains guaranteed. He previously received $6.5 million of an $8 million total guarantee at signing.
Fan reaction and next steps
Vikings fans have followed the situation closely on social media. Many find it amusing to watch another team deal with quarterback uncertainty.
Filmogaz.com observed that Vikings fans are reacting to the Cardinals’ QB struggles after the Kyler Murray release. The combination of roster moves and contract questions has fueled that response.
It remains uncertain whether Arizona will meet Brissett’s demands. The outcome will shape both teams’ quarterback pictures heading into training camp.
