Former comedian David Spade offered a light, tongue-in-cheek take on Murray’s departure from Arizona, referencing the reported “independent study” clause and joking about whether he’ll read the playbook now that he’s with the Vikings. The exchange came during an April appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
Arizona’s blunt assessment of the split came from Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur, who said parting ways was beneficial for both sides. He added that Murray had success in Arizona, but acknowledged the move as the best path forward, noting that Murray could be a “problem” when viewed from the other sideline.
Murray’s 2025 season performance, as evaluated by Pro Football Focus, reflected a mixed resume: a 72.2 overall PFF grade (22nd of 43 qualified quarterbacks) and a 69.5 passing grade, with 962 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions over 962 attempts and 195 dropbacks. He averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, released the ball in about 2.91 seconds, and contributed 145 rushing yards with a rushing score, posting a 71.4 rushing grade with four big-time throws to three turnover-worthy plays.
Former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber raised questions about Murray’s fit in O’Connell’s system, suggesting the quarterback faces multiple question marks about whether he can adapt to the offense. Leber pointed to a need for more mobility and a balance between play-calling expectations and Murray’s strengths, including the limited role of under-center snaps.
Entering the 2026 season, Murray is viewed as the favorite to start before a snap is taken, but the one-year pact means both sides will be under scrutiny as they assess the fit. Minnesota hopes the arrangement yields steady quarterback play, while Murray seeks to demonstrate he can establish himself as a trusted starter in the league.
