The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback competition is underway ahead of training camp, with Kyler Murray widely regarded as the favorite to claim the starting role. J.J. McCarthy enters the battle with a notable edge, however, stemming from his deeper knowledge of the team’s scheme.
McCarthy is in his third season operating in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Murray, by contrast, has spent only a few months studying the system after joining the club this offseason.
That familiarity could prove decisive if McCarthy leverages it effectively during practices and preseason contests. Murray made clear he intends to erase any such disparity.
Speaking with reporters Wednesday, the former Arizona Cardinals quarterback detailed his ongoing work to absorb O’Connell’s playbook.
“Any chance I could get to going over scripts, going over the playbook every day for the last six weeks and then obviously, workouts and stuff, going out there and implementing what we’ve done and just trying to familiarize, get more familiar with the verbiage and the footwork and all that stuff,” Murray said.
He added that the spring program left him optimistic about the weeks ahead.
“I feel great. Really helped me going through OTAs for sure. You know, having done it once now, obviously this time it’s about to be real. But I truly believe that going through OTAs has prepared me for what’s to come.” Murray further explained.
“I think it’s a reps thing. Continue to do it over and over again. Say it over and over again. The more you do it, the more it comes naturally, the more it becomes easier. I think that’s really the process for me. Once all that settles down for me, it’s just playing football.”
Should Murray ultimately win the job, O’Connell will look to extract maximum production from the former No. 1 overall pick. In 87 games with the Cardinals, Murray posted a 92.2 passer rating while throwing for 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions.
Former Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen offered his assessment of the situation during a July 27 appearance on “NFL Live.”
“I think it’s Kyler Murray’s job right now,” Thielen said. “But if J.J. McCarthy comes in and shows what he wasn’t doing well last year, he could win that job. First of all, when you see J.J. in person and you’re around him, you want to be around him.”
“He’s a great leader [and] fun to be around. He’s just a guy that everyone loves. At the end of the day, they drafted him in the first round, and they want him to have success. So if he comes in and shows it, he could win that job. But right now, it’s Kyler’s job.”
Training camp and the preseason will determine whether Murray can close the experience gap sufficiently to secure the starting position.
