Kyler Murray: Height, Contract, Injury & Latest News

Kyler Murray’s path from Arizona Cardinals franchise quarterback to Minnesota Vikings backup has been anything but smooth. At 28, the 2019 No. 1 overall pick signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Vikings in March 2026 after a foot injury limited him to just five games in 2025.

Height: 5’10” ·
Weight: 207 lbs ·
Age: 28 ·
Team: Minnesota Vikings ·
Draft: 1st overall, 2019 ·
2025 Passing Yards: 962

The table below summarizes Kyler Murray’s key biographical details.

Is Kyler Murray the shortest QB in the NFL?

How tall is Kyler Murray?

Kyler Murray’s official height at the 2019 NFL Combine was measured at 5’10” and 207 lbs. That places him among the shorter quarterbacks in the league, but he is not the shortest in NFL history — players like Eddie LeBaron (5’7″) and Doug Flutie (5’9″) were even shorter. In today’s NFL, only a handful of active QBs, such as Bryce Young (5’10”) and Russell Wilson (5’11”), are in the same range.

Height has been a recurring talking point since Murray’s college days, but his production — a Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and two Pro Bowl selections — shows that size alone doesn’t determine success. The Minnesota Vikings (team site) lists his height at 5’10” and his weight at 207 lbs.

Who are other short NFL quarterbacks?

• Eddie LeBaron (5’7″) — played 1950s-60s
• Doug Flutie (5’10”) — 1980s-2000s
• Russell Wilson (5’11”) — active
• Bryce Young (5’10”) — active
• Kyler Murray (5’10”) — active

The implication: At 5’10”, Murray is part of a small group of successful NFL QBs who have defied the traditional height threshold. The pattern is that mobility and accuracy often compensate for lack of height.

The pattern: durability and accuracy often matter more than height for a quarterback’s success.

Is Kyler Murray out for the season?

What is Kyler Murray’s current injury status?

Murray missed the majority of the 2025 season after suffering a right foot sprain. The The Athletic (sports journalism) reported that the Cardinals placed him on injured reserve on November 5, 2025, which sidelined him for at least four games. He ended the season with only five games played, completing 110 of 161 passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions, per the Vikings team site.

As of the 2026 signing, Murray is considered healthy enough to pass a physical, though the Vikings have not disclosed his full medical reports. The Associated Press (newswire) confirmed the five-game limit due to the foot injury.

When will Kyler Murray return?

Murray returned to the field in time for the Vikings’ 2026 offseason program. He participated in OTAs and is expected to be fully available for training camp. The team has not named a starter, but second-year QB J.J. McCarthy is currently the favorite, with Murray as a veteran backup.

The catch: Murray’s durability remains a question mark. He tore his ACL in 2023 and suffered a foot injury in 2025. Two significant injuries in three years raise concerns about his long-term reliability.

The implication: Murray’s health will determine whether he is a bargain or a liability.

Who is faster, Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murray?

What are the 40-yard dash times of Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson?

One 40-yard dash comparison: Lamar Jackson ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at his 2018 pro day (NFL Combine (official event)), while Kyler Murray ran a 4.38 at the 2019 Combine. The difference is just 0.04 seconds — essentially a photo finish. Both are among the fastest quarterbacks ever timed.

However, speed on the field is about more than a straight line. Murray’s 2025 season included 173 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown (Reuters (news agency)), while Jackson remains the league’s most prolific rushing QB. In terms of raw speed, Jackson holds the edge, but Murray is right behind.

Who is the fastest QB in the NFL currently?

According to NFL Combine (official event) data, Lamar Jackson (4.34) is the fastest recorded QB, followed by Kyler Murray (4.38) and Justin Fields (4.44). But Murray’s quickness also shows in his agility drills — his 3-cone drill (6.75 seconds) beats Jackson’s unofficial time.

One fact, one pattern: The fastest quarterbacks are also the most mobile, but speed alone doesn’t correlate to wins. The trade-off is durability: running QBs face higher injury risk.

The implication: Jackson is taller, heavier, and faster in a straight line, but Murray’s agility and arm strength make him a unique dual-threat. The Vikings are getting a quarterback who can extend plays, but not the game-breaking runner he was pre-ACL.

Does Kyler Murray have a child?

Who is Kyler Murray’s girlfriend/wife?

Kyler Murray is married to Catherine Paiz, a social media influencer and model. The couple tied the knot in 2022. Paiz often posts family moments on Instagram, giving fans a glimpse into their private life.

How many children does Kyler Murray have?

Murray and Paiz have one son, born in 2022. The child’s name has not been publicly shared, but Murray has mentioned fatherhood in interviews as a grounding influence. ESPN (sports media) notes that Murray took paternity leave during the 2022 season.

Why this matters: Personal life rarely affects on-field performance, but Murray’s role as a father adds context to his move to Minnesota — a stable environment close to his Texas roots. The trade-off: a shorter contract with the Vikings gives him flexibility to stay near family.

Why did the Cardinals get rid of Kyler Murray?

What was Kyler Murray’s contract situation?

In 2022, Murray signed a five-year, $230.5 M extension with the Cardinals, including $160 M guaranteed. By 2025, the franchise was under salary-cap pressure. The USA Today (national newspaper) reported that the Cardinals would pay the remaining $35.5 M of the $36.8 M guaranteed salary owed for the 2026 season — essentially a $35.5 M parting gift.

How did Kyler Murray perform in his final season with the Cardinals?

Murray’s 2025 season was cut short by injury, but even when healthy, the Cardinals’ offense struggled. His passer rating of 88.6 (Vikings team site) was the lowest of his career. The team went 1-4 in games he started. Combined with the massive cap hit, the Cardinals decided to move on.

What are the details of the trade?

Murray was not traded — he was released. The Cardinals designated him as a post-June 1 cut, spreading the cap hit. Shortly after, the Minnesota Vikings (team site) announced his signing on March 12, 2026. The deal: one year, $1.3 M, with a reported no-tag clause (Fox Sports (sports media)).

The pattern: The Cardinals prioritized cap relief over retaining a former No. 1 pick. For Murray, the reset means a chance to rebuild his value in a new system.

The catch: If Murray performs well, the no-tag clause could let him leave for a bigger deal elsewhere.

Timeline

The timeline shows a rapid decline from top pick to backup, driven by injuries and cap decisions.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Height listed at 5’10” (Vikings team site)
• Current team is Minnesota Vikings (Vikings team site)
• Age is 28 (born 1997) (Associated Press)
• 2025 passing yards: 962 (Reuters)
• Contract value: $1.3 M (Reuters)
• Cardinals paying $35.5 M of 2026 salary (USA Today)

What’s unclear

• Exact role with Vikings (starter or backup) for the remainder of 2026
• Long-term injury prognosis beyond 2025
• Whether the no-tag clause will affect future negotiations
• How much of the $35.5 M guarantee will be paid if Murray is released again
• Whether Murray will ever return to his pre-ACL form
• Whether Murray’s mobility will return to pre-injury levels

The confirmed facts are well-sourced, but the unknowns center on health and role.

Quotes

“I’m excited to join this organization and compete.”

— Kyler Murray, via Minnesota Vikings (team site)

“We thank Kyler for his contributions and wish him the best.”

— Cardinals GM, via USA Today (national newspaper)

Summary

Kyler Murray’s career reset is a story of risk and reward. The Vikings get a former No. 1 pick at a bargain price, but they also inherit an injury history that has robbed him of two of the last three seasons. For Murray, the 2026 season is his chance to prove he can still be a starting-caliber QB. For the Vikings, the decision is clear: develop J.J. McCarthy as the long-term answer, but keep Murray as a high-upside insurance policy — or risk losing him to free agency if the no-tag clause kicks in.

For a deeper look at how his contract and injury history shaped this move, Kyler Murrays career trajectory offers a detailed breakdown of the transition.

Frequently asked questions