When Kyler Murray joined the Minnesota Vikings, it wasn’t hard to see the potential. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has managed to win 13 and 14 games in two respective seasons with above-average quarterback play. The belief is, that with Justin Jefferson, an improved offensive line, a deeper cast of weapons and a plus running game, that Murray can come closer to his Pro Bowl potential as a former No. 1 overall pick.
Murray checked the first box by winning the starting job. But now he’s under fire for, apparently not going the extra mile while playing in a contract year.
Related: Potential J.J. McCarthy Trade Could Happen Soon, NFL Insider Details Expected Compensation
Kyler Murray Not Showing Up Early Or Staying Late at Minnesota Vikings Facility
Murray’s playing in Minnesota for just $1.3 million, which doesn’t matter because the Arizona Cardinals are still paying him over $35 million this season. Still, Murray needs to maximize this moment so he can cash in next offseason when he’ll be negotiating a new contract, either in Minnesota or on the open market as a free agent.
Yet, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, via “PFT Live“, Murray isn’t exactly taking this opportunity by the Viking horns. If anything, he’s doing the bare minimum that’s expected of him when it comes to his attendance.
“I want to be fair and transparent when I hear things from people that I trust. I heard last night from someone I trust that the starting quarterback is showing up right on time and leaving as soon as the bell rings. Which is fine but kind of fits with one of the issues that emerged in Arizona. It may be all he needs to go out there and be highly effective. But to the extent that we thought all of a sudden he was going to be guy who gets there well before anyone and guy who burns the midnight oil, that’s not happening. At least not for now.”
Mike Florio on Kyler Murray
Will Kyler Murray set the tone for the Vikings by showing up early and staying late? pic.twitter.com/OuF0iXXAet
— PFT Live (@PFT_Live) September 2, 2026
Is that a red flag? Does this tie into previous reports of the Cardinals requesting to put in the famous “homework clause” in Murray’s contract? Perhaps.
Yet, perhaps it’s Murray not wanting to get burnt out after already diving into the offense from the moment he signed. Maybe he’s saving some of his energy for when the games actually begin. As Florio noted, he’s not putting in the extra work “for now.” Maybe that changes.
Of course, if Murray and the Vikings do struggle out of the gates, reports like this won’t do the 29-year-old any favors. Plus, the team surely has noticed Murray cutting out as soon as he can. Maybe that’s even part of the motivation behind wanting to hold onto McCarthy.
If there’s even a sliver of doubt in the Vikings’ mind that Murray may not be the long-term solution, then having a high-upside developmental prospect like McCarthy is exactly what they would be seeking. Not only did the Vikings hold onto McCarthy (for now), they prioritized keeping 2025 UDFA Max Brosmer too, while he’s now been slid over to the practice squad, the Vikings may be having some internal doubts about QB1. That makes players like Carson Wentz, McCarthy, and even Brosmer even more valuable in Minnesota.