Skip Bayless Makes Astonishing NFC North Claim About Vikings After Kyler Murray Trade

Skip Bayless feels that Kyler Murray can have the similar impact like Sam Darnold had when he played with the Vikings in 2024.

Skip Bayless Makes Astonishing NFC North Claim About Vikings After Kyler Murray Trade

Kyler Murray and Skip Bayless inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/Screengrab YouTube)

In Short
  • Skip Bayless claims Kyler Murray's signing makes the Vikings favorites to win the NFC North and the Super Bowl.
  • Murray signed a one-year contract with the Vikings after being released by the Cardinals, who will cover most of his previous contract.
  • Bayless believes Murray's fit with head coach Kevin O'Connell will significantly impact the Vikings' performance next season.

Skip Bayless just voiced out loud what most people have been quietly thinking after the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray. In the latest Zoom call with The Arena Gridiron participants, Bayless mentioned that Murray joining the Vikings has instantly made them favorites to win not only the NFC North but also the Super Bowl in LA next February.

Murray stood on the verge of leaving the Arizona Cardinals for a while. The 28-year-old’s future became uncertain after he injured his foot last December. He was promptly placed on the injured reserve list, prematurely ending his campaign. Jacoby Brissett stepped in for the remaining games.

Right after the season ended, the Cardinals released Murray despite taking on roughly $54.5 million in dead cap money. Murray said his goodbyes and, a few days later, signed a one-year contract with the Vikings.

As soon as I saw the headline, I immediately tweeted, ‘The Vikings will win the NFC North next year and at least one playoff game next year’.

Skip Bayless said on The Arena

The Vikings will only need to pay Murray the veteran minimum, as the Cardinals will cover the remaining $35.5 million of his contract. The monetary arrangement aside, Bayless believes Murray’s presence in the Twin Cities is a blessing.

It’s [signing Kyler Murray] going to change life in the National Football League. All of a sudden, Minnesota has Seattle potential next year because the Packers and Lions did not get better in free agency, and obviously [Parsons] is coming off the ACL and will have a slow start to next year.

Skip Bayless said

The Cardinals drafted Murray first overall in 2019. After recording his first winning season (only) in three years as the starter, the Cardinals agreed to a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with Murray. Since penning the deal, Murray has played every game of a season just once. In 2024, he took the Cardinals to an 8-9 finish. He also scored 26 touchdowns and 11 picks. Murray finished with a 38-48-1 record in Arizona and a defeat in the postseason.

Skip Bayless says the Vikings are the best place for Kyler Murray to revive his career

Just a couple of years ago, the Vikings exceeded expectations with a backup quarterback who had recently joined Kevin O’Connell‘s system. Journeyman signal caller Sam Darnold played a key role in helping the Vikings secure 14 victories after a lengthy drought.

Skip Bayless Makes Astonishing NFC North Claim About Vikings After Kyler Murray Trade
Kyler Murray (Image via IMAGO)

But the Vikings crashed out of the playoffs at the first hurdle. That did little to decrease Darnold’s stock. He signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks and led them to a Super Bowl victory in his first year.

Meanwhile, the Vikings stumbled to a 9-8 finish with JJ McCarthy and a 33-year-old Carson Wentz taking turns steering the ship. The Vikings’ roster is largely the same as last year, and with Murray as QB1, Bayless thinks the team from Minnesota has what it takes to dominate the NFC North.

I love the fit of [Kevin] O’Connell and Kyler, not only because Kyler grew up a [Minnesota] Vikings fan, which is weird; he grew up in Dallas, but Kevin O’Connell first met Kyler at an Elite 11 quarterback camp when Kyler was in high school and they clicked, connected, and stayed in text touch throughout his college career and into his pro career.

Bayless said

Even though Murray appears to be the obvious choice to start for the Vikings, O’Connell has opted to keep all the cards close to him.

Minnesota also tied wide receiver Justin Jefferson down for the next two seasons. According to VikingsNations on X, the Vikings fully guaranteed $14.2 million of Jefferson’s 2027 salary, reinforcing their long-term commitment to the superstar receiver. The 27-year-old remains under contract for 3 years and $89.75M, including $25.75M for the 2026 season.

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