Future Hall of Fame CB Forecasts Big Things for Kyler Murray

Remember Patrick Peterson? The cornerback who stopped by the Minnesota Vikings for two seasons? He’s a former teammate of Kyler Murray, and for the most part, Peterson believes Murray will work out in Minnesota.

The Vikings signed Murray in March after the Arizona Cardinals kicked him out. Peterson thinks that’ll work out for Murray and the Vikings.

Peterson Sees a Clean Setup for Murray

Patrick Peterson walks on the field before Vikings-Chiefs preseason action. Kyler Murray Vikings — Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson walked onto the field before a preseason matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. On August 27, 2021, in Kansas City, Missouri, Peterson prepared for action as Minnesota completed pregame work against an AFC opponent in one of the NFL’s loudest road environments. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.

Peterson on Murray

Peterson recently chatted with D.J. Siddiqi and opened up about Murray: “I am happy for Kyler Murray for the situation that he’s in right now, how he’s going to be able to play with a top-five defense, how he’s going to be able to play with a consistent No. 1 receiver, how he’s going to have a balanced offense.”

“Everything is not really going to be upon his shoulders. I think he’s in a great, phenomenal situation now. I believe Murray will win the starting job just because he’s a proven quarterback. He’s a guy who’s a Pro Bowler in this league, a former first pick in this league, and we know those guys can hold on to that car for a long, long time.”

Peterson and Murray crossed paths in the desert for two seasons.

“J.J. McCarthy is a first-round pick as well, but the number one pick carries a little bit more weight, and I just feel like Kyler Murray is more proven,” Peterson added.

Best Situation to Date in His Career

Murray may also benefit from his best team setup to date. He’s never quite had a defense like Brian Flores’s; in addition, his new playmakers, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, T.J. Hockenson, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason, should make his job easy.

Peterson commented on that, too: “This is the best situation that he’s going to be in thus far throughout his career. In Arizona, we had solid teams, but we didn’t have teams that can win right now, and Minnesota has a team that can win right now. What they were missing last year was a quarterback. J.J. wasn’t healthy; they had to go through two other quarterbacks. Carson Wentz ended up getting hurt, and the other quarterback threw four interceptions in one game.”

“The defense was pretty much keeping them afloat. Now they just feel like they need a quarterback that’s going to be able to manage them, manage the game, put them in the best position possible, and Kyler Murray, in my opinion, picked the right team for that. Now it’s going to be upon him to be the best player that he can be to revitalize his career.”

If there’s a place for Murray to rekindle his career, it’s Minnesota. The situation is fantastic.

Just Follow the Blueprint of Sam Darnold?

Meanwhile, if Murray wants to find success, all he has to do is turn on some tape of the 2024 Vikings, led by Darnold.

Kyler Murray plays against the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Kyler Murray Vikings — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray took the field against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field during a late-season NFC matchup. On December 31, 2023, in Philadelphia, Murray operated Arizona’s offense while facing a tough road setting and another chance to close the season with momentum before the final whistle. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota finished 14-3 that season, with Darnold under center almost 100% of the time. Darnold fed his playmakers, let the defense do its thing, and closed out games in the 4th Quarter. Life was good — until Darnold vaporized in the season’s two most vital games: at Detroit in Week 18 and in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams.

Murray blasting off in Minnesota won’t be unprecedented, but if he does, the Vikings will have the opportunity to keep him, unlike letting Darnold walk in 2025.

Must Win the Battle First

Projecting Murray’s stats and success might be premature. Peterson appears to have already crowned him, but Murray must win the summer competition against McCarthy, who won’t go quietly into the night. Last offseason, the Vikings handed McCarthy the job without serious compeition, and a playoff-less season ensued. This time, they signed Murray, and he’s in town to battle McCarthy at training camp and in the preseason.

Kyler Murray glances toward the field during Cardinals-Jaguars action. Kyler Murray Vikings — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray looked toward the field as the second quarter wound down during a road matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. On September 26, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida, Murray took in the moment while Arizona maintained control in an early-season contest away from home. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports.

The odds suggest Murray will win handily — he’s a -770 monelyine favorite — but Minnesota has a vested interest in McCarthy succeeding, drafting him in 2024 as their sole solution at quarterback for the future. When training camp kicks off in three weeks, Murray must earn the QB1 job, and that process will likely take longer than a day or two.

Then, Murray must remain upright and healthy. Sadly, he’s missed about a quarter of all games in his career due to injury. He’s played a full season twice. If Murray gets hurt, McCarthy will be salivating to fill in and never relinquish the job.

Yet, if Murray plays all 17 games, Peterson believes he’ll stick in Minnesota.