Looks like Pittsburgh or Minnesota for Murray

[StickierBuns]

Danny Dimes and the Colts very near a deal reportedly. I'm looking forward to later tonight to see if indeed Minnesota is really interested in Kyler Murray. Doesn't seem to be much of a market for him?

[purplefaithful]

Yah, I posted something yesterday that was speculating on Pitt being a major player for Murray along with MN. Also that he's going to take his time about signing and really due his diligence. We'll see soon enough how true that is (or not.)

dont think it's as much a slam dunk Murray ends-up here as so many Viking fans online seem to think.

Vikings have done a good job being quiet about it.

[FourCornersViking]

It also determines where Murray prefers to go...players have gone to preferred teams for less money and better opportunities. Hopefully this is the case, but nothing is guaranteed.

[MaroonBells]

I think one thing that could prevent this marriage is if the Vikings continue to insist this will be a competition. If Murray takes that as some kind of insult, there could be trouble.

[Canthony]

I think one thing that could prevent this marriage is if the Vikings continue to insist this will be a competition. If Murray takes that as some kind of insult, there could be trouble.

It should be a competition, and JJ should have the right to that.

[StickierBuns]

Brev
@brevmanbane
I’ve been hearing the concern that Kyler Murray might not want to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting #Vikings QB gig (which he would probably win), but I raise this point:

Assuming Aaron Rodgers stays in Pittsburgh with Mike McCarthy, what are his other options that won’t have competition?

Isn’t it literally just the Jets? Why would Kyler want to go to possibly the only organization that’s more incompetent than the Cardinals?

@PhilMackey
raised a good point just now: the Cardinals can still choose to actually stick with Murray after Malik Willis committed to Miami. They’re already pay him.

Just an all around mind-boggling situation.

[CFIAvike]

I've had this feeling all along that the Vikings don't want Kyler as much as the media wants us to want him. Cousins or Rodgers seem like the more sensible additions that don't nuke the possibility of JJ eventually working out. Not to mention both are better fits for what we want to do offensively.

[Zanary]

If Kyler sees how Kordell Stewart was treated in Pittsburgh when he failed to be the superstar he was hyped to be...he may not want to go there at all.

I've said many times: the 3 worst fanbases for NFL QBs are Pittsburgh, Philly, and Minnesota.

[StickierBuns]

The #Cardinals will release Kyler Murray today, and he isn’t expected to be traded like Geno Smith, per
@RapSheet
. “Mutual interest” between Minnesota and Murray:

[purplefaithful]

Just another take as we're in the waiting room for news...
===================================================

As they round the corner, the Vikings appear to be in a two-horse race. Kevin O’Connell’s squad appears to be running alongside Mike McCarthy’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

No shortage of digital ink has been spilled on the idea of Aaron Rodgers returning to The Steel City, but when does Mr. Rodgers ever make anything easy? The NFC North and AFC North teams could be a Kyler collision course.

Quite possibly, the NFL has another trick up its sleeve. Does a dark horse team emerge to scoop up Mr. Murray?

Without question, the possibility is out there. Maybe a team with great coaching but an injured starter — think Kansas City or Denver as examples — makes a move. Come and start early, the sales pitch goes, while getting supported by Super Bowl winning coaches and a strong roster. Or, perhaps, a team with an ace quarterback coach (Rams, 49ers, and so on) makes a move. Stranger things have happened.

For the sake of simplicity, let’s assume the expected occurs: the Vikings and Steelers are the main players. 

Consider a case for each side.

Going to Pittsburgh means playing for a tremendous franchise that has won multiple Super Bowls. Bring the team back to that level and not only does glory follow but being grafted into a prestigious tradition, too. Consider, as well, that the Steelers are entering a new era and are unusually committed to avoiding knee-jerk reactions. If solidity and wisdom are desired, the Steelers are toward the top of the NFL.

Mike McCarthy has some supporters in the NFL. D.K. Metcalf is a fantastic receiver. Michael Pittman is, as well. Pittsburgh has much to offer, including a history of knowing how to play excellent defense.

In Minnesota, there’s a respected quarterback-turned-coach in Kevin O’Connell. If someone wants to pass, the Vikings are a good fit, at least in a general sense. Plus, Josh McCown (the team’s QB coach) generates ample respect.

Tossing the ball to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson is as good as it gets. Literally. Is there a more formidable collection of skill in the NFL? Other teams have deadly twosomes but the Vikings have the best receiver in the NFL alongside two other very good players.

A tricky dynamic in Minnesota? Needing to compete with J.J. McCarthy, someone whom the Vikings still want as the long-term franchise quarterback. Pittsburgh doesn’t have nearly so much invested in other quarterback options.

Another factor: playing outdoors versus in a stadium. If that plays into the decision — think a home-run hitter preferring to play in a stadium with easy-to-clear walls — then the Vikings gain an edge.

Best guess is that Kyler Murray becomes the new Vikings passer. The 28-year-old playmaker isn’t stupid. He has seen what took place with Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, and Daniel Jones. Each one left the Vikings behind for major paydays. He could do likewise if he eviscerates all foes as the Vikings’ QB1 in 2026.

Pittsburgh, in contrast, hasn’t been a hotbed of quarterback development in recent seasons.

Look for the Kyler Murray decision to get settled before too long. A Vikings fan growing up, Murray could become a Viking as soon as suppertime.

Purple PTSD