The Minnesota Vikings have signed quarterback Kyler Murray. For the fourth time in franchise history, the Vikings have added a quarterback that was selected with the first pick in their draft. Murray was the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He joins the following as Vikings #1s.
George Shaw - selected #1 by the Baltimore Colts in 1955
Jeff George - selected #1 by the Indianapolis Colts in 1990
Sam Bradford - selected #1 by the St. Louis Rams in 2010
That was just a little bit of trivia that occurred to me in the wake of the Kyler Murray signing. George Shaw started the first game in Vikings franchise history. While there should be a quarterback competition with J.J. McCarthy, Murray is expected to be the starter for the next game.
Last year, the Vikings 2025 season was derailed before it even got started. The quarterback plan was to let Sam Darnold get an unaffordable payday from another team, re-sign Daniel Jones, and have a quarterback competition with J.J. McCarthy and Jones. It was a good plan. I was for it when it was happening. A year later, I still think it was the right plan. The unexpected happened when Jones opted for a more assured starting opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts. No one can blame him for that. Where the Vikings went wrong was not immediately pivoting to another quarterback path. The team’s decision-makers didn’t address the QB2 role until a draft day trade for Sam Howell. That didn’t work and it took until late August to address it not working. In my opinion, the Vikings should’ve signed Carson Wentz about a day after Jones signed with the Colts. Criticism is always easy a year after. Anyway, the Vikings wanted no part in possibly repeating last year’s quarterback mistakes. Everyone in the building knew that they had to put together a quarterback room strong enough to plow through any adversity. They didn’t do that last year. Repeat that mistake and those involved might be looking for new jobs next year.
Kyler Murray was the best quarterback available through trade or free agency. The Vikings signed him. Signing him for a league-minimum $1.3 million is an unbelievable plus. His addition to the roster gives the Vikings a current quarterback room very different from last year’s motley group.
Kyler Murray
J.J. McCarthy
Max Brosmer
Brett Rypien
John Wolford
I expect and it’s expected that the Vikings will sign another experienced quarterback. For a variety of reasons, Carson Wentz is a leading contender. He’s my leading contender.
Kyler Murray
J.J. McCarthy
Carson Wentz
I can get behind that group. With the way quarterback injuries derailed two of Kevin O’Connell’s four seasons as the Vikings head coach, I’d like to see the above three quarterbacks and about three practice squad quarterbacks in the QB room.
Welcome to Minnesota, Kyler Murray.
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