SI ranks Kyler Murray 21st as Vikings prepare for quarterback competition

Sports Illustrated has ranked Kyler Murray as the 21st-best quarterback in the National Football League, a placement that reflects the Minnesota Vikings’ immediate need for consistency following a difficult 2025 season. Murray, who signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Vikings in March after being released by the Arizona Cardinals, is widely expected to secure the starting role ahead of rookie J.J. McCarthy as training camp commences.

The ranking, provided by Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, is considered reasonable given Murray’s recent injury struggles. The quarterback has missed 27 games over the past four years due to a torn ACL and a foot injury, playing only 30 games across that span. In 2024, the last season in which he played every game, Murray threw 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while winning eight starts for a team in the NFC West.

Murray’s arrival comes as the Vikings seek to improve upon a passing attack that ranked 29th in the league in 2025. Rookie J.J. McCarthy started 10 games last season, completing 57.6 per cent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The expectation is that Murray does not need to be a game-changing presence to help the offense improve, but rather provide the stability that has been lacking.

At 28 years old, Murray is changing teams for the first time in his career. He joins a roster featuring head coach Kevin O’Connell and future Hall of Fame receiver Justin Jefferson. Murray previously made two Pro Bowls in his first three NFL seasons, but his recent health record has raised questions about his durability and long-term impact.

During organized team activities, Murray noted that splitting starting repetitions is difficult as he has not done it before. The sooner he can separate himself from the competition and win the starting job, the better for the Vikings, who aim to move forward with a talented roster and coaching staff supporting the quarterback.