The Minnesota Vikings named veteran Kyler Murray their starting quarterback for the 2026 season on Tuesday, sidelining 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy after the young signal-caller made just 10 starts in his first full year as a professional.
Coach Kevin O’Connell informed both quarterbacks and the rest of the team of the decision before Tuesday’s practice, ending what he had described as an open competition that began when Murray signed a one-year contract in March following his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
“It’s just the appropriate time now to give our team and everybody clarity on the direction we’re taking,” O’Connell said.
Murray, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who spent seven seasons with the Cardinals, will take the majority of first-team snaps for the remainder of training camp and is expected to start the regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13. McCarthy will serve as the primary backup.
Sports radio host Dan Patrick weighed in on the move during a recent segment of his show, questioning the long-term implications for McCarthy.
“I don’t know if the Vikings are giving up on J.J. McCarthy after 10 starts… Maybe they’re taking a pause,” Patrick said while discussing the quarterback situation in Minnesota.
McCarthy, selected 10th overall out of Michigan in 2024, missed his entire rookie season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason. He inherited the starting job in 2025 after Sam Darnold left in free agency and went 6-4 in his 10 starts. The Vikings finished 9-8 overall that year and missed the playoffs.
In those 10 games, McCarthy completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 72.6 passer rating. Injuries, including a high-ankle sprain, concussion and a hairline fracture in his throwing hand, limited his availability and consistency.
O’Connell emphasized that the decision was based on the body of work through the first 10 practices of camp, during which Murray took more first-team repetitions.
“There’s moments in time where you know there’s comfort from Kyler in the scheme. He had some really high completion days where he was able to show some really, really good understanding of just putting the ball in play, playing with great timing, rhythm,” O’Connell said. “And as you continued to look at the body of work through those 10 days, what jumped out is what could be.”
Murray, who turns 29 this month, started 87 regular-season games with Arizona and has amassed 20,460 career passing yards and 121 touchdowns along with 3,193 rushing yards. He appeared in only five games in 2025 due to a foot injury before being released.McCarthy addressed the decision Wednesday and said he remains committed to the organization.
“A decision was made that was out of my control,” McCarthy said. “Obviously, every competitor wants to play. But moving forward, it’s just about continuing to work hard and staying ready for when my number is called.”
He added that Minnesota “is the place I want to be” and that he loves the people in the building and the state.
O’Connell stressed that McCarthy’s development remains part of the team’s long-term vision. The 23-year-old is under contract through the 2028 season.
“Look, he’s a young player with a whole bunch of outstanding things in his future,” O’Connell said. “I know he’s going to continue to improve, and the long-term mindset of him as a Minnesota Viking and all the things that he’s brought here is still absolutely part of the long-term vision for sure.”
Both quarterbacks are scheduled to play in the preseason opener Saturday against the New York Giants. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also remain in the quarterback room.
The move marks the fourth different Week 1 starter for the Vikings in as many seasons, following Kirk Cousins in 2023, Darnold in 2024 and McCarthy last year. Minnesota has not won a playoff game since 2019.
Patrick’s comments reflected a broader discussion among analysts about whether the team is fully committed to McCarthy as a long-term solution or simply buying time with a proven veteran while the former Michigan star continues to develop. Murray’s experience and dual-threat ability give the Vikings a more established option in the short term as they seek to maximize the remaining prime years of star receiver Justin Jefferson.
O’Connell said the competitive process benefited both players and provided clarity without sacrificing development opportunities for McCarthy.
Murray expressed appreciation for how the competition was handled and said he expected only to compete when he arrived in Minnesota.
The Vikings open the regular season at home against Green Bay, with Murray now positioned to lead an offense that featured a stronger emphasis on the run game late last season. McCarthy, meanwhile, will work to stay ready while the organization evaluates whether the pause Patrick referenced eventually leads to another opportunity under center.
