Is QB Kyler Murray An Option For Minnesota Vikings?

Another day, another quarterback linked to the Minnesota Vikings. Kirk Cousins' name popped up following a report of Atlanta cutting ties with the veteran before the start of the new league year in March. Today, former number one overall pick Kyler Murray, who is on the way out of Arizona, has entered the chat. 

Phil Mackey of SKOR North reports that Murray would be interested in playing for the Vikings. Following his benching for journeyman backup QB Jacoby Brissett, the Cardinals and Murray are likely to part ways and start fresh, especially with a new head coach in town. 

Murray burned bright when he broke into the NFL with an OROY and back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances, but it's fair to say Murray has disappointed with the expectations of being the first pick. His contract isn't easy to move either, plus the concerns about his durability make a trade even more difficult. 

Apparently, Murray grew up admiring the Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper-led Vikings, which adds another layer of intrigue. With the front office looking to mend fences with Justin Jefferson and possibly keep Jordan Addison in the fold and committed, any quarterback decision needs to have both of them in mind. Would Murray entice both of the receivers to stick around?

Moe Moton of Bleacher Report predicts a J.J. McCarthy/Cousins pairing in Arizona with Murray as a Viking.

"ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported that "all bets are off" as it pertains to J.J. McCarthy's future with the Minnesota Vikings.

This would represent the other end of the trade between the Arizona Cardinals and the Vikings. Kyler Murray lands in Minnesota, where he can build a rapport with two-time All-Pro Justin Jefferson. The two could become a high-level tandem that consistently puts up big numbers through the air.

As a two-time Pro Bowler with the production to justify that recognition, Murray may just need a change of scenery to perform optimally again. 

Under head coach Kevin O'Connell, who has called plays for top-nine scoring offenses in two out of four seasons in Minnesota, the 28-year-old signal-caller could reach peak levels of production playing alongside one of the league's top receivers.

An undersized, mobile quarterback, Murray would benefit from playing indoors, as he did in Arizona. Because of his deep-ball accuracy, the dynamic signal-caller can maximize the Vikings' talented pass-catching group, which includes Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson in addition to Jefferson.

The Vikings are $40.2 million over the cap threshold. So they would likely prefer that the Cardinals release Murray. In a trade scenario, Minnesota can restructure deals, including the quarterback's contract, and cut veterans like Javon Hargrave, Ryan Kelly, and Aaron Jones to create space for him."