By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-11 17:54:38 | Updated at 2026-08-11 18:18:35
1 hour ago
The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season, choosing him over former first-round draft pick JJ McCarthy.
The 29-year-old signed with the Vikings during the offseason after being released by the Arizona Cardinals, putting pen to paper on a one-year deal worth $1.3 million.
Murray signed a minimum deal with the Vikings – while Arizona paid him $35.5 million – with the hope of becoming their starting quarterback, which was confirmed by Adam Schefter on Tuesday afternoon.
McCarthy, meanwhile, will have to settle for being backup in the latest blow to his NFL career after missing his entire rookie season due to injury.
He started just 10 games last year for Minnesota, leading them to victory in six of them, before again having his season curtailed due to a number of injuries.
The decision comes following a training camp battle in Eagan, where Murray took the majority of first-team reps while acclimating to head coach Kevin O'Connell's offensive system.
The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback
Former first-round draft pick JJ McCarthy will settle for back up in O'Connell's team
According to ESPN, McCarthy did take some first-team reps this summer but his lack of consistency made Minnesota's decision an easy one.
Murray will now have a month of practice full time with the Vikings' starting offense ahead of the regular season which begins against the Packers on September 13.
Earlier on in camp, 'miscommunications' between him and his receivers had surfaced, however, O'Connell still believes he is the man to lead the Vikings.
Back in April, meanwhile, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson threw down the gauntlet for last year's starter.
'I'm definitely looking for those big, exciting plays [from Murray],' Jefferson said on the first day of the Vikings' offseason minicamp. 'I'm definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he's shown countless times over the years.
'And then for J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he's got to step it up a little bit.
'So it's good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, 'It's either now or I'm going to take that back seat again.'
'So it's all a competitive mindset when it comes to these type of things. So it's all about who's ready for that moment and who's ready to step up and take that initiative.'
The decision means that Murray will become the Vikings' fourth different Week 1 starting quarterback in the past four years. Previously, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold and McCarthy began as Minnesota's starting signal caller.
