Vikings weigh QB trades before deadline as Kyler Murray sits injured
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The gist
The 6-2 Vikings have about 24 hours before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline to fix quarterback.
Minnesota's defense-led start is being tested by a 29th-ranked offense and loud home boos.
Background
The Minnesota Vikings are an NFL team coached by Kevin O'Connell, now in his fifth season and regarded as something of a quarterback whisperer. Kyler Murray, the 2018 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in 2019, was named the starter in August 2026 after J.J. McCarthy lost the training camp battle and was later traded to the New York Giants. Murray is now out with a hamstring injury described as legitimate and week to week, leaving backup Carson Wentz to start while the team, 6-1 entering Week 9, ranks 27th in points per game and 29th overall offensively despite an exemplary defense and special teams.
How it unfolded
- Feb 26, 2026The Vikings said they would explore every opportunity at quarterback that offseason, with J.J. McCarthy still in the mix.
- Aug 11, 2026Minnesota named Kyler Murray its starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
- Aug 13, 2026Demoted after losing the quarterback battle, J.J. McCarthy said Minnesota is the place he wants to be.
- Sep 2026The Vikings traded McCarthy to the New York Giants after he lost the camp battle with Murray and was demoted to the No. 3 job.
- Nov 5, 2026NFL insider James Palmer reported the Vikings had been calling around on quarterback and other positions.
- Nov 6, 2026Reports said Minnesota did not appear done at quarterback, naming Daniel Jones, Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith as options.
- Nov 8, 2026Reports said the Vikings were down to a pair of trade options, with Carson Wentz set to start against the Bills, ostensibly due to Murray's injury, and the deadline the following Tuesday.
- Nov 9, 2026Wentz started for the injured Murray as the 6-1 Vikings hosted the 6-1 Bills on Monday Night Football; NBC Sports described the boos at the game as frequent, loud and warranted.
- Nov 10, 2026With the trade deadline set for 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, reports said Minnesota had roughly 24 hours to fix its quarterback problem; the season was described as hitting a new low after an ugly loss to Buffalo, leaving the team 6-2.
Key terms
- Heisman Trophy
- An annual award given since 1935 to the top player in American college football.
- shotgun formation
- An offensive football alignment in which the quarterback stands several yards behind the center to receive the snap.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Insider
- James Palmer reported Murray's hamstring injury is legitimate and he is week to week; the team still believes Murray can play the best football of his career under this staff and is being patient, but adding to the quarterback room or making a change is on the table before Tuesday.
- Analysts
- NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci questioned whether Murray fits Kevin O'Connell's pocket-based offense, and former Giants personnel executive Marc Ross said Murray is too inconsistent and doesn't anticipate well, adding O'Connell hasn't shown an ability to help him.
- Caution
- NBC Sports' Mike Florio called staying the course with Murray and Wentz a middle finger to the fan base and said Max Brosmer isn't good enough to make a difference.
- Official
- Coach Kevin O'Connell bemoaned the lack of offensive execution after the loss to the Lions and noted the team has used shotgun formation much more this season, which is Murray's preference.
Still unverified
Rumors circulated before the deadline that Minnesota could explore a trade for Colts quarterback Daniel Jones; whether the Raiders are willing to trade Kirk Cousins is an open question; some have suggested a play for Justin Herbert, though it is impossible to know whether his struggles stem from his surroundings or from Herbert himself.