Minnesota Vikings’ decision to sign Kyler Murray looks even smarter now after Kirk Cousins’ contract with Las Vegas Raiders
The Minnesota Vikings were really smart to sign Kyler Murray as quickly as they did, especially after the contract Kirk Cousins got from the Las Vegas Raiders would have complicated things.
One of the best values in the NFL this upcoming season will be Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray. The Vikings will pay him just $1.3 million, with the Arizona Cardinals paying him over $36 million.
Even with that aspect, the Vikings discussed a second year for Murray becuase they know how good he can be. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer highlighted that shortly after the signing.
“Murray, Brezinski, O’Connell, Burkhardt and a few others had lunch in the draft room, the Vikings’ brass broke off for a final meeting with the doctors, and then O’Connell pulled Murray aside and told him he wanted him to come aboard. Murray responded, ‘“’This is where I want to be.’ And from there, Brezinski and Burkhardt went to negotiate a relatively simple deal on the minimum, with a second year briefly explored, and a no-tag provision included.”
Sports illustrated's Albert breer
Title
The A to Z Sports NFL mock draft simulator offers a deeply customizable and data-driven experience with never-before-seen features. Try the mock draft simulator today, before the 2026 NFL Draft arrives!
Timing of Kirk Cousins’ unique contract saved the Vikings money
Thursday morning brought news that the Las Vegas Raiders have signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a wild contract. It’s essentially a one-year deal worth $2o million total, with $8.7 million being paid by the Atlanta Falcons.
Here’s where things get interesting. The Raiders are using a loophole to pay Cousins more than $10 million for the 2026 season, and it’s a brilliant one.
Giving Cousins a $10 million roster bonus to be paid after the beginning of the 2027 league year is genius. The Raiders get the benefit of having Cousins at the veteran minimum while he still gets market value overall for a bridge quarterback.
This type of structure is relatively new in the scope of the NFL, and it’s surprising to see the Vikings not at the forefront of the deal. They could have given Murray a similar offer, and it would have circumvented their salary cap issues.
Because of the structure of Cousins’ deal technically being a five-year contract worth $172 million, having voided years could impact the Vikings’ ability to sign Murray to a new contract. Because void years have base salaries, teams cannot sign players to a new contract right after that one expires. Cousins’ one-year deal for the 2023 season was a five-year, $2oo million contract, meaning the Vikings couldn’t offer him more than $40 million per season.
With Murray potentially having a great season under head coach Kevin O’Connell, having that limitation could be a major hindrance to a long-term deal.
Simply put, the Vikings acting quickly saved them a lot of money and headache.
Minnesota Vikings News
Kyler Murray being linked to the Vikings creates multiple schematic challenges, and none of them may matter
The potential pursuit of Kyler Murray is a fascinating one on many levels.
Minnesota Vikings News
Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell doubles down on their quarterback strategy ahead of 2026 season, focusing on one key stat
The Minnesota Vikings made sure that they had a strong quarterback room exiting free agency with Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz after a second season with at least three starting quarterbacks.
