Vikings name Kyler Murray starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy

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Kyler Murray

Key facts

  • Vikings named Kyler Murray starting QB over J.J. McCarthy, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter
  • Murray’s contract with Minnesota includes a no-tag clause, making him a free agent next March
  • Murray in 2025 with Arizona: 5 starts, 68.3% completion, 962 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs, 88.6 rating
  • Murray in 2024 with Arizona: 17 starts, 3,851 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs, 68.8% completion
  • McCarthy in 2025 with Minnesota: 10 starts, 57.6% completion, 1,632 yards, 11 TDs, 12 INTs, 72.6 rating, 27 sacks (10.0% sack rate)
  • Vikings’ preseason opener is Saturday at 1 p.m. ET against the New York Giants

The Minnesota Vikings have ended their offseason quarterback competition, naming Kyler Murray the starter over J.J. McCarthy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The decision came before Minnesota’s first preseason game, giving Murray the starters’ reps throughout the remainder of camp and the preseason as the team prepares for the regular season.

Murray signed a one-year contract with the Vikings this offseason specifically to compete for the starting job. That deal includes a no-tag clause, meaning Murray is set to hit free agency in March regardless of how the 2026 season plays out.

How the two quarterbacks compared statistically

Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 draft, started five games for Arizona last season, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, with a passer rating of 88.6, per Sporting News. In 2024, he started all 17 games for the Cardinals, throwing for 3,851 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on a 68.8 percent completion rate. He is a two-time Pro Bowler who spent the first seven seasons of his career in Arizona before signing with Minnesota.

McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, started 10 games for the Vikings last season in his rookie year as a starter after dealing with injuries earlier in his career. He completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, posting a 72.6 passer rating. He also was sacked 27 times, a 10.0 percent sack rate that outlets described as high, and Sporting News noted a quarterback rating of 35.6 for the season.

What it means going forward

With Murray now entrenched as QB1, McCarthy moves into his third NFL season as a backup after struggles tied to injuries and inconsistent play in his first two years. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and wide receiver Justin Jefferson will now build the offense around Murray heading into the 2026 season.

What’s next

Minnesota opens the preseason on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET against the New York Giants, the first opportunity to see Murray running the Vikings’ offense in game action.

Sources

Featured photo: Erik Drost via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

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