The Detroit Lions have already started making changes to their roster, which featured shipping out David Montgomery to the Houston Texans in return for two draft picks and center Juice Scruggs. They parted ways with Graham Glasgow in the process, and releases around the league have continued as teams around the NFL have prepared for free agency.
On Tuesday, a massive domino fell in the QB market, and it will likely have an impact on the Lions. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Arizona Cardinals will be releasing quarterback Kyler Murray. Considering he’s guaranteed $36.8 million for the 2026 season, he will sign with a team in free agency for the vet minimum.
That’s ideal for a Vikings team that’s looking for an upgrade. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported, “Kyler Murray is at or near the top of the Vikings’ QB wish list this offseason,” and with him set to be a free agent, this becomes more likely.
Kyler Murray Could Land in Lions’ Division and Join Vikings
ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss also pointed out Murray wanted to get released and has “two preferred destinations.” While the Vikings weren’t named, you’d have to imagine they are high on the list after what they did with Sam Darnold in 2024.
Darnold landed with Minnesota on a one-year, $10 million deal in 2024 and put up monster numbers, tossing 4,319 passing yards and 35 passing touchdowns. They handed the reins over to J.J. McCarthy, but it didn’t go as planned. It’s been leaked that the Vikings are looking to move on after one year, making the idea of Murray to Minnesota more plausible.
Typically, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and that’s likely the case here with the Vikings. It’s no secret they want to get better there, and that’s not the news Detroit wants to hear. During the 2025 season, the Lions dropped both games to the Vikings, yet the quarterback wasn’t the driving force in either game. Minnesota rushed for 300 yards while tossing a total of 119 yards through the air.
The Lions clearly had an advantage defensively against the Vikings’ QBs, but there’s a good chance they’ll have to square off against a far more talented Murray. While he isn’t a perfect signal caller himself, he has the skillset to be more effective than anyone Minnesota trotted out last year.
In four career games against the Lions, Murray has 1,042 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and six interceptions. He threw in an interception in each outing versus Detroit, which is a stat fans love to hear, but based on the conversation swirling around Murray’s future, there’s a great chance Detroit will be seeing him twice during the 2026 campaign donning a Vikings uniform.
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