Grade The Signing: Kyler Murray’s new contract with Minnesota Vikings has a brilliant addition to protect the future

It’s a significant addition by Kyler Murray’s agent.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 1, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have their veteran quarterback, as they have agreed to a deal with quarterback Kyler Murray. It’s for one year and the assumed veteran minimum.

Murray coming to Minnesota is a big win for both sides. He is going to be in a competition with incumbent starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and the hope is that the quarterback play improves.

Kyler Murray signs with Minnesota Vikings

It’s a big deal for the Vikings to get Murray in the building. He doesn’t necessarily fit what head coach Kevin O’Connell wants to do from a schematic standpoint, but he did a really good job of maximizing what his quarterbacks liked to do.

The big aspect for the Vikings is linked to Murray’s height and not throwing over the middle. I wrote about this last week when breaking down the all-22.

“Because of his height, it will always persist to an extent. He does a good job of avoiding it well enough, but it is something he has to overcome, which a player like Smith doesn’t have to worry about.

It can also be limiting with throwing over the middle. In some offenses, that’s not a big deal, but it is for O’Connell. He thrives throwing over the middle of the field. Murray inherently doesn’t throw a ton over the middle of the field. He thrives the most in Air Raid-based offenses, from Lincoln Riley to Kliff Kingsbury.

In his last full season with Drew Petzing as his offensive coordinator, Murray threw over the middle with a depth of 10+ yards 44 times. He completed 32 of them for 501 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Among those, he had three big-time throws and one turnover-worthy play.”

Who knows how it will work out for both sides, but it’s an interesting fit. The price literally cannot be beat, but the one intriguing element that Murray’s agent got into the deal is a no-franchise tag clause. That will ensure he gets to hit free agency unless he gets an offer from the Vikings he likes enough to sign.

It’s frustrating that the Vikings don’t have the ability to franchise tag him, but it’s worth the risk.

Grade: B+

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