Overview
- The Vikings signed Kyler Murray on a low‑cost short deal in March 2026 and pundits have recently begun naming him an under‑the‑radar MVP candidate for the 2026 season.
- Media momentum for Murray’s MVP case rests on Kevin O’Connell’s track record of reviving quarterbacks and on Minnesota’s strong receiving group led by Justin Jefferson, which could raise Murray’s passing and rushing totals.
- The starting job is still a genuine competition with 2024 first‑round pick J.J. McCarthy, and a prolonged fight in training camp would cut Murray’s reps and preparation time and weaken any realistic MVP run.
- Availability is the main constraint on Murray’s candidacy because he has missed roughly 26% of games since 2019, a level of missed time that would likely disqualify a consistent MVP campaign.
- Early sportsbooks and conventional frontrunners such as Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes keep Murray well behind in market odds, so his MVP path depends on securing the job quickly and staying healthy.