MINNEAPOLIS — Kyler Murray has played in the NFL for seven seasons. He has played in one playoff game, and he lost it while producing only 137 passing yards and throwing two interceptions and no touchdowns.

His team, the Arizona Cardinals, put an “independent study” clause in one of his contracts to ensure he would do his homework.

He is listed as 5-foot-10, meaning he’s probably 5-9. He may not be ideal for the Minnesota Vikings offensive system, which relies on timing. Murray is often eager to scramble or run.

There are plenty of reasons to think that Murray isn’t an ideal fit for the Vikings.

There are four numbers that indicate that, whatever his flaws, he is the Vikings’ best option at quarterback for 2026.

The numbers:

— $1.25 million.

— 67.1%.

— 1.

— 0.

The first is the NFL veteran minimum salary. Murray might be willing to play for that paltry sum because he will be paid $36.8 million by the Cardinals for the 2026 season once they cut him.

The second is Murray’s career completion percentage, the fifth-best in NFL history.

The third is where Murray was drafted, with the first pick in 2019.

The fourth is the number of assets the Vikings would have to give up to get him, zero draft picks and players.

Murray is a dynamic runner and scrambler. He throws a good deep ball. Combine those factors with his accuracy and affordability, and he is the best quarterback the Vikings could possibly land this offseason.

I don’t believe the Vikings would sign a quarterback of Murray’s ability and personality unless they wanted him to be their starter and were comfortable with J.J. McCarthy acting as a backup.

Assuming Murray wants to play in Minnesota, signing him would be a return to business as usual for the Vikings franchise. The current regime traded up in the 2024 draft to take McCarthy because they wanted to draft and develop a star quarterback for the first time since Daunte Culpepper.

Murray would not be a comfortable fit. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be the best fit.

I spent much of this offseason promoting the idea that McCarthy should be the starter and that the Vikings should find a quality, affordable backup for him.

When news broke that Murray would become available, I had to check my bias and look at the stats.

He’s accurate. He is a brilliant runner and scrambler. He’s only 29, yet has seven years of experience.

Although smaller, he is more talented than Sam Darnold, who played well for most of a season with the Vikings and just won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.

If the Vikings decide that Murray is their best option, then Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell should alter his offense to fit Murray’s skills. That’s what good coaches do.

Murray’s red flags are brighter than the Cardinals’ red jerseys. The Vikings would be banking on him maturing, and being motivated by his previous problems and the resulting criticism.

I remain intrigued by McCarthy, but it’s difficult to forget the last game of the regular season. McCarthy had played well over the previous month and seemed to be building support within the organization. Then he left the season finale against Green Bay after aggravating an injury to his right hand.

O’Connell lauded that decision publicly. Privately, I find it hard to believe bowing out of a season finale against the Vikings’ primary rival helped McCarthy’s quest to become the unquestioned franchise quarterback.

Last season, the Vikings had one of the NFL’s worst overall quarterback performances. McCarthy improved at the end of the season, but his production was terrible. Carson Wentz wasn’t good enough. Max Brosmer wasn’t close to being good enough. And the Vikings won nine games.

Plug in a player of Murray’s capability and efficiency, and the Vikings probably would have won 11 or 12 games last season — and probably would win 11 or 12 in 2026.

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