Kyler Murray is the next reclamation arrow in Minnesota Vikings' head coach Kevin O'Connor's quiver. With an incredible receiving corps, O'Connor is betting the former first overall pick, jettisoned by the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, can have a Sam Darnold-like impact in 2026.
His preseason competence helped him claim the starting job, albeit in an underwhelming competition between him, Carson Wentz and the faded remains of J.J. McCarthy. He was named the starter early enough in exhibition season that it was a statement in its own, suggesting Minnesota had found the quarterback who can provide the stability to push last year's 9-8 squad back to the postseason.
There is still plenty of time for all that to happen. But his first dropback as
a Viking was an abject disaster.
Kyler Murray's first pass as a Viking was the Tecmo Super Bowl staple where you guess the opponent's play
— Christian D'Andrea (@trainisland.bsky.social) 2026-09-13T20:28:48.399Z
Murray, faced with a six-man blitz. slipped backward, stared impending doom in the face, and winged a prayer in Jauan Jennings' direction. Unfortunately for Murray, there were also two Green Bay Packers defenders waiting for his fading arm punt. Keisean Nixon intercepted it, providing the field position for an early 3-0 lead.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Kyler Murray's first pass as a Viking went about as poorly as it could have
