NFL Trade News: Minnesota Vikings inching closer towards $170M Arizona Cardinals QB

It’s certain: the Arizona Cardinals are going to give up on their longstanding quarterback Kyler Murray by March 11. With this news hitting the market, the Minnesota Vikings may seek a quarterback similar to Sam Darnold.

Despite past criticism, Darnold thrived under Seattle’s coaching system and locker room dynamics, ultimately becoming a Super Bowl champion.So, maybe they will see Darnold in Murray. With him, they can also tackle an injury-prone J.J. McCarthy and have a signal caller who wants to create history on a new slate. Two goals with one move. All speculation for now, let’s check out what the analysts are saying about this blockbuster move.

Dan Orlovsky does not see Cardinals QB Kyler Murray fit for J.J. McCarthy’s Minnesota Vikings

“I only like it. I do not love it,” Orlovsky said on ESPN’s Get Up. “If I were Minnesota, my No. 1 goal is to trade for [San Francisco 49ers QB] Mac Jones. No. 2 would be [Pittsburgh Steelers QB] Aaron Rodgers, and then I would entertain Kyler [Murray]. In Kyler’s words, ‘I want to be a playmaker.’ That’s not the role of the QB in this offense. In this offense, [the quarterback is a] point guard.”So, Orlovsky prefers a backup QB and a veteran QB over a franchise QB for the Vikings.

Yes, they have McCarthy, but he has not been functional for the longest time now [due to injuries]. And maybe it is costing Minnesota’s patience, and they really need a franchise QB to take things into his own hands.With head coach Kevin O’Connell’s guidance and wide receiver Justin Jefferson to catch every ball thrown, maybe Murray could become a marvel to watch. Again, only speculation. But it fits into their finances.As of this publication, the 28-year-old signal caller has over $170 million in career earnings. Cardinals Wire’s Jess Root reports that Arizona is on the hook for Murray’s full salary, so he may now sign with any team for the league minimum, approx. $1.3 million. This removes any financial barrier for a team looking to add him.Heavy Sports’ Brevan Bane reports that the Vikings don’t have to pay Murray anything if he’s released by Arizona.

On March 2, NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed that the Cardinals told Murray they plan to release him on March 11, when a new league year opens, unless a trade comes together.Murray prefers to be released, so he can look for options in the market and choose a team that would give him the best chance to reset and move forward: now this is what the Vikings want too. Especially after their released quarterback went on to win a Super Bowl for another franchise the very next season.

NFL pundit Emmanuel Acho heavily criticizes Vikings projected Kyler Murray

A lot of negativity still comes Kyler’s way [this should only be making him stronger]. Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho recently chalked out a “list of things that Murray is not” on his own daily sports talk show, “Speak Easy.” Acho said Murray is not: better QB, more durable, better leader. The former baseball player did not want a higher clip, and he has never won a playoff game. He is not a galvanizer of men and does not make anybody around him better. He’s not a better pocket passer because he does not like to pass from the pocket.The criticism just kept coming: He is not in good health, and nobody wants to follow him. He is not a signal caller that a team with Super Bowl aspirations should build around [a warning for the Vikings?]