MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kyler Murray became a superstar athlete as a kid growing up in Texas, won the Heisman Trophy with Oklahoma, was the first overall pick by Arizona in the NFL draft in 2019, and made the Pro Bowl after his second and third seasons in the league.
Since then, with a floundering Cardinals team and two major lower-body injuries contributing to the slide, Murray's career has veered off course. He can't hide it: His first game as quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon will be a big deal for him.
"Out of how many years I've played football, this has got to be right up there for most anticipated. I can't tell you how ready I am and excited to be on the field again," said Murray, who was sidelined last October by a foot injury and cut by the Cardinals in March.
The storyline gets even better: The Vikings host the division rival Green Bay Packers, and their new defensive coordinator is Jonathan Gannon, who was Murray's head coach in Arizona the last three years.
"He's in a really good offense with some elite players. Obviously I've got nothing but love and respect for 'K1,' Gannon said, using Murray's longtime nickname. "He's competitive. He's smart. He can make all the throws and beat you with his legs, so it's a big-time challenge."

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