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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reportedly told newly acquired quarterback Kyler Murray he could be a long-term option prior to him signing with the team ahead of his upcoming quarterback competition with former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, according to Sports Illustrated NFL reporter Albert Breer.
"And while Murray still has to win the job from McCarthy, what O’Connell said to Murray did stick with him—that he was the one guy on the market that they could see as a potential longer-range answer, rather than a one-year Band-Aid. The idea of growing with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Christian Darrisaw and O’Connell and his staff was already wildly attractive to begin with. The chance to, perhaps, put down roots only made it more so," Breer wrote.
Murray, 28, signed a one-year deal with the Vikings last Thursday (March 12). NFL Network's Tom Pelissero previously reported that "the Vikings' hope is competition will also bring out the best" in McCarthy.
Murray was limited to just five starts in 2025 due to a mid-foot sprain he sustained in Week 5 and was shut down in December after it was reported that his injury was not healing as expected. The former Heisman Trophy winner was selected by the Cardinals at No. 1 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft and was the 2019 NFL Rookie of the Year, as well as a Pro Bowler during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but has been limited by injuries, having played 11 or less games in three of the last four seasons.