Last year, the NFL media and fan community debated whether quarterback Kyler Murray had been “softly benched” in Arizona, a theory that felt vindicated when the Cardinals released him in March. Fast forward to June 2026, and Bleacher Report claims Murray could be benched again this season, this time courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings.
BR’s Kristopher Knox published a list of the most benchable quarterbacks this year, and sadly, Murray made the cut.
Not Everyone Is Sold on the Vikings’ QB1 Solution
BR: Murray Could Be Benched
On a list that included players like Jacoby Brissett and Geno Smith, Murray got benchable treatment. Knox wrote, “According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Murray currently leads the competition, and the gap between the quarterbacks is ‘not close.’ Murray is a dynamic dual-threat and was a Pro Bowler early in his career with Arizona.”
“He should give Minnesota a boost at quarterback this season, and at 28 years old, he could potentially become a long-term answer for Minnesota. However, there’s no guarantee that Murray will do either of those things. He never showed consistency as a passer with the Cardinals — the offense was more effective with Brissett behind center last season — and he has never delivered a playoff win.”
While Murray has never notched a triumph in the postseason, the Vikings haven’t won a playoff game since 2019.
“It’s easy to think that Murray will be better under Kevin O’Connell and with weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison at his disposal,” Knox continued.
“If he isn’t, though, Minnesota may eventually give McCarthy another chance to redeem himself. McCarthy, after all, is only two years into his rookie contract, while Murray is only signed through this season.”
Well … Insert for McCarthy for a Sequel
Should Murray get benched, McCarthy would step in, presenting his true shot at redemption. He would need to be prepared, and the Vikings would quickly assess his capabilities. He notably displayed flashes of potential in 2025, particularly in late-game situations. Following Week 14, he was even ranked as the NFL’s sixth-best quarterback per EPA+CPOE.
It’s entirely conceivable that McCarthy could enter, stabilize the offense, and permanently secure the starting position.
Furthermore, he still has ample time. First-round quarterbacks are eligible for a fifth-year option, and McCarthy will only be 23 this season. If he excels by 2028, Minnesota can exercise that option, maintaining its long-term strategy. It’s one of the distinct advantages of having both Murray and McCarthy: the Vikings gain an immediate upgrade while preserving McCarthy’s potential for an additional three years.
The sole reason for a trade would be if McCarthy himself demanded one. Should he desire to leave, Minnesota would face a decision. Until then, exercising patience remains the most prudent course of action.
In short, if Murray gets benched per the BR speculation, well, the Vikings planned for this, and his name is J.J. McCarthy.
The Murray Price Is Still Worth It
Murray arrived in Minnesota with a $1.3 million price tag. That’s absurdly affordable. In fact, every team in the NFL should’ve jumped on Murray’s availability, including teams with elite quarterbacks, like the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, solely because the value was just so tremendous.
Consider this: if Murray flames out in Minnesota or gets hurt this summer, adding him for $1.3 million was still worth the gamble.
If you believe in sports hacks, this is the grandaddy — obtaining Murray for the veteran minimum. The value gets no better.
Two Other Ex-Vikings on the BR List
Daniel Jones, who stopped by the Vikings in 2024, also made Knox’s list: “Jones, who was recently cleared for 7-on-7 work, will need to replicate his 2025 success. If he can’t, the Colts may try to salvage the season with Richardson — if he’s still on the roster — or Riley Leonard, while keeping an eye on that 2027 QB class. Unfortunately, playing well on a year-to-year basis wasn’t something Jones did during his six seasons with the New York Giants.”
So did Kirk Cousins, who quarterbacked the Vikings from 2018 to 2023, though a benchable Cousins is to be expected after the Las Vegas Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza in April.
“Let’s not forget that the Falcons went 5-3 with Cousins as the starter last year and might well have won the NFC South if it had leaned on him all season. If Las Vegas is a surprise playoff team with Cousins at the helm, hold off on passing the proverbial torch,” Knox opined about Cousins.
“If the Raiders aren’t in a position to make a run, however, they’ll turn things over to Mendoza once they feel he is prepared to start. As Gagnon put it, the reigning Heisman winner and national champion is “the long-term dude” for Las Vegas.”
Murray will turn 29 in August, and if BR has it wrong about his benchability, he could latch on as the Vikings’ QB1 for the next half-decade-plus.
