Kyler Murray’s Vikings move labelled ‘fortunate’ and excuses may run out with Super Bowl comparison

Kyler Murray never became what the Arizona Cardinals were hoping for.

But a new team and a new offense could turn the former No. 1 overall pick into this season’s Sam Darnold.

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Darnold won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks last year, turning seven seasons with four different teams into a career breakthrough.

“Some people called me crazy throughout my career for believing in myself so much and having so much confidence,” said Darnold, after a 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

“But it was because of my parents, because of the way that they believed in me throughout my entire career, and it allowed me to go out there and play free and have a ton of confidence.”

Eight-time Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson believes that the 28-year-old Murray could be in line for a Darnold-like breakthrough in 2026.

“I don’t think this is his last, last chance. This might be his last best chance, as far as with the team that he has around him,” Peterson said.

“Most teams that are quarterback-needy are bad teams for the most part, so they’re going to need more pieces to fit around them again.”

Murray starred at Texas A&M and Oklahoma in college, winning the Heisman Trophy and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

He put up big numbers with the Cardinals, while earning two Pro Bowl honors and being name the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

But injuries, late-season letdowns, coaching changes and a lack of surrounding talent all contributed to Murray losing his starting job with Arizona.

The Cardinals are still paying Murray $36.8 million this season, which means that Minnesota added a former No. 1 pick by only paying $1.3m on a one-year deal.

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“He’s in a very fortunate situation to be going to a quarterback-needy team that has everything already around him,” said Peterson, who spent a decade with Arizona and two seasons with Minnesota.

Peterson has a unique insight into Murray, thanks to playing for both the Cardinals and Vikings, and spending two years as Murray’s teammate in Arizona.

The Vikings have added a dual-threat QB with something to prove in 2026, and Murray will enter training camp as the favorite to win the starting job after J.J. McCarthy disappointed last season.

Peterson is a three-time All-Pro who should receive Hall of Fame consideration.

The talented former defensive back made it clear that he’s a big fan of Murray’s — and tipped him to be this year’s Darnold with the QB-needy Vikings.

“I don’t think this will be his last opportunity, just because you got to go back to Sam Darnold,” Peterson said. “Now he’s on his fifth team, but he did make the best of his opportunity in Minnesota.”

It’s on Murray to do the same with the Vikings in 2026 and keep McCarthy on the bench.

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Murray was limited to five games last year with Arizona, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions.

He’s started 87 games in seven seasons, completing 67.1 percent of his attempts for a total of 20,460 yards, 121 TD and 60 INT.

The speedy, 5ft and 10in Murray has also rushed for 3,193 yards and 179 TDs.

The Vikings open training camp on August 1 at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota.

Thirteen practices will be open to fans.

Minnesota kicks off its 2026 season with a Week 1 home contest vs the Green Bay Packers on September 13.