Kyler Murray’s Vikings Debut Comes With a Jonathan Gannon Plot Twist
MINNEAPOLIS — Kyler Murray has been a Texas phenom, a Heisman winner, the No. 1 overall pick, and a Pro Bowler. Now he’s the Minnesota Vikings’ QB1, and his first start is about to feel like a movie.
The Familiar Face
Murray’s Vikings debut Sunday comes against the rival Green Bay Packers, whose new defensive coordinator is Jonathan Gannon — Murray’s head coach in Arizona for the last three seasons. Yeah, the football gods have jokes.
“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,” Murray said. He was sidelined last October by a foot injury and cut by the Cardinals in March.
Gannon knows exactly what he’s scheming against. “He’s in a really good offense with some elite players. Obviously I’ve got nothing but love and respect for ‘K1,’” Gannon said. “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.”
Packers safety Xavier McKinney added: “Obviously he’s a playmaker. You know that. He can extend plays with his feet, and we also know he can make the throws down the field as well.”
What’s at Stake
After a severe regression last season while J.J. McCarthy struggled to stay healthy and in rhythm during his debut, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell wants his passing game back on track. Murray’s training-camp chemistry with star receiver Justin Jefferson has been a reason for optimism.
“What surprised me is his arm talent and him being able to come out here and lead the guys every single day in practice and being more of a leader than I’ve seen,” Jefferson said. “It’s really cool seeing him step up into a role that we really needed him to be in.”
Need to Know
Green Bay (9-8-1) at Minnesota (9-8)
When/where: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EDT, CBS
Latest odds: Vikings by 1½
Last meeting: Vikings beat Packers 16-3 on Jan. 4, 2026, in Minneapolis
Series: Packers lead 67-61-3
Matchup to Watch
Green Bay’s running game vs. Minnesota’s defensive front. The Packers will be without three-time Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs, who’s on hiatus while an alleged domestic violence case moves through the court system and the league discipline process. MarShawn Lloyd is atop the depth chart for now.
Minnesota counters with a young defensive line led by Jalen Redmond after moving on from veterans Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in favor of Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Levi Drake Rodriguez. That interior trio has just 20 career starts combined — Redmond has 17 of them.
Stats and Stuff
— The Packers are opening against an NFC North opponent for the fourth time in five years, including 2022 at Minnesota. They’re on a five-game losing streak, including the wild-card playoff loss at Chicago.
— Packers QB Jordan Love is 1-1 as a starter at U.S. Bank Stadium, with four touchdowns and no interceptions on 43-for-63 passing for 441 yards. Green Bay won in 2023 and lost in 2024 on the road against Minnesota.
— Green Bay is also without All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons, whose knee surgery recovery will keep him out at least four games. The Packers went 9-3-1 with Parsons on the field last season and were winning at Denver in the second half when he went down on Dec. 14.
— Hargrave signed with Green Bay after his release by the Vikings and will start inside along with Karl Brooks and Devonte Wyatt. Hargrave had two of his 3½ sacks last season in the opener at Chicago.
— Murray is 0-2 in his career against the Packers, losing at home in 2021 and at Green Bay in 2024. He totaled 488 yards on 44-for-65 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions.
— Running back Aaron Jones returns for his third season with the Vikings and his 10th in the NFL, listed as a co-starter with Jordan Mason. Jones played his first seven years with the Packers.
— Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman had a career-high 144 tackles last season and was one of two players in the league with four games of at least 15 tackles.
— Vikings safety Harrison Smith re-signed with the team this week for a 15th season.