It feels like Kyler Murray and the Vikings are a match made in heaven.
After signing a one-year deal with Minnesota on Thursday, Murray revealed that he grew up as a diehard Vikings fan, saying that he cried “real tears” when Brett Favre threw the devastating fourth-quarter interception during the 2009 NFC Championship game against the Saints.
“Ever since I started playing tackle football,” Murray told reporters at a press conference Thursday about how far his Vikings fandom goes back. “I was 7 years old. Genuine fandom that ran deep.
“Vikings gear through and through. A lot of purple in my household…I cried real tears whenever Brett [Favre] threw that interception. I cried real tears that day.”
Murray added that he is “super excited” to play for the Vikings this upcoming season and thanked the team’s front office.
“I want to thank God,” he said. “I want to thank the Wilt family, Rob [Brzezinski], and coach [Kevin] O’Connell for giving me this great opportunity. I’m super excited. I can’t wait to touch the field as a Minnesota Viking.
“It’s a great day for me and my family. And again, I want to say I can not wait to touch that field and be a Minnesota Viking.”
He also showed his Minnesota fandom on social media, posting a picture on X of him playing youth football in Vikings gear.
Murray signed a one-year deal worth the league minimum of $1.3 million with the Vikings after being released from the Cardinals last week at the start of the new league year.
Arizona still owes Murray $36.8 million, and Murray would have been owed another $19.5 million in 2027 if he had remained on the roster on March 15.
Following his release, Murray posted a farewell message to the Cardinals on X.
“To everyone that supported me and showed kindness to my family and I during my time in AZ, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wanted nothing more than to be the one to end the 77 year drought for this organization, I am sorry I failed us,” Murray wrote. “I wish this community and my brothers nothing but the best. I am no stranger to adversity, I am prepared for whatever’s next.
“I trust in God and my work ethic. I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it. Godspeed.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
