Kyler Murray is 29 years old and, as of November 2026, he is the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. Born in Bedford, Texas, Murray was a two-sport star who chose football over a baseball career, won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma, and was taken first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Small for a modern quarterback at 5 ft 10 in, he has built his game on speed, quickness, and an unusually strong arm, and he has already signed one of the biggest contracts in NFL history.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Kyler Cole Murray |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Date of Birth | August 7, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Bedford, Texas, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Known For | NFL quarterback; Heisman Trophy winner 2018; first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft |
Who Is Kyler Murray?
Kyler Murray is an American professional football quarterback who plays for the Minnesota Vikings. He first became a national name as a college star, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2018 as Oklahoma’s quarterback, and he was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. With the Arizona Cardinals he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and selected to two Pro Bowls, before a new chapter began in Minnesota in 2026, where head coach Kevin O’Connell named him the Vikings’ starting quarterback.
Murray’s story is unusual even by NFL standards. He was also a first-round baseball pick, taken ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, and he seriously considered a career on the diamond before committing to football. The gamble paid off quickly: he became the first player ever chosen in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts, and his speed and throwing power made him one of the league’s most exciting young quarterbacks.
In Minnesota, Murray joins a quarterback room that also includes Carson Wentz, the veteran who re-signed with the Vikings in March 2026. The pairing gives the Vikings two very different but proven options under centre, and Murray’s arrival has been one of the talking points of the 2026 NFL season.
Early Life & Background
Kyler Cole Murray was born on August 7, 1997, in Bedford, Texas, into a sporting family. His father, Kevin Murray, was a quarterback at Texas A&M, and his mother, Missy, also played sports. As a boy he was a standout in both football and baseball, and at Allen High School in Texas he became a legend: he never lost a game as a starting quarterback, going 42-0 and winning three straight state championships.
Murray began his college career at Texas A&M in 2015, then transferred to the University of Oklahoma, where he had to sit out a season under transfer rules. He spent 2017 as Baker Mayfield’s backup, learning the Sooners’ system, then took over in 2018 and produced one of the great college seasons of recent times, throwing for more than 4,300 yards and 42 touchdowns and running for more than 1,000 yards on his way to the Heisman Trophy.
Career
The Arizona Cardinals took Murray first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, even though they had drafted a quarterback the previous year, and he started immediately. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, throwing for 3,722 yards, and he made the Pro Bowl in each of his next two seasons. In July 2022 he signed a five-year contract extension worth $230.5 million, one of the largest deals in league history at the time.
Murray’s time in Arizona also brought setbacks. He tore his ACL in December 2022 and missed much of the 2023 season, returning late in the year, and the Cardinals rebuilt around him in 2024 and 2025. His dual-threat style, which relies on quickness and improvisation, has always made him thrilling to watch and, at times, vulnerable to injury, and his recovery from the knee injury was a slow process.
In 2026 Murray moved to the Minnesota Vikings. On August 11, 2026, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced him as the Vikings’ starting quarterback for the season, and he got the new chapter off to a strong start, leading the team to a 5-1 record in his first six games. It was a fresh start for a player still only in his late twenties, with a Heisman, two Pro Bowls, and a Rookie of the Year award already on his resume.
Facts About Kyler Murray
- Kyler Murray won the Heisman Trophy in 2018 at Oklahoma, throwing 42 touchdown passes and running for more than 1,000 yards.
- He was taken first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
- Murray was also picked ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft, the only player ever drafted in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts.
- He went 42-0 as a starting quarterback at Allen High School in Texas, winning three consecutive state titles.
- In 2022 he signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kyler Murray?
Kyler Murray is 29 years old. He was born on August 7, 1997, and turns 30 on August 7, 2027.
How tall is Kyler Murray?
Kyler Murray is 5 ft 10 in tall (1.78 m).
When is Kyler Murray’s birthday?
Kyler Murray’s birthday is August 7, 1997.
Which team does Kyler Murray play for?
Kyler Murray plays for the Minnesota Vikings. He was named the Vikings’ starting quarterback in August 2026 after playing for the Arizona Cardinals from 2019 to 2025.
Did Kyler Murray win the Heisman Trophy?
Yes. Kyler Murray won the Heisman Trophy in 2018 as the quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners.