The Vikings split first-team quarterback reps between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy through the spring and well into training camp. No decision on a starter had been made entering Tuesday, but that is set to change.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Vikings will name Murray their QB1 for 2026. That will of course come as no surprise given where this situation has stood throughout the offseason. The free agent addition held a lead over McCarthy during OTAs and minicamp, and he remained the favorite into August. The coming campaign will be Minnesota’s fourth in a row with a different Week 1 starter. The news of this decision is now official, per a team announcement.
Murray’s Cardinals tenure ended on a low note. The former No. 1 pick was sidelined by a foot injury in 2025, but he remained out of the lineup even when it appeared as though he had returned to full health. Jacoby Brissett closed out the campaign atop Arizona’s depth chart, and he is set to occupy the QB1 gig in 2026 as well. Murray was eventually released, setting up a brief free agent spell which resulted in a one-year, $1.3MM Minnesota deal.
The Cardinals will be on the hook for $35.5MM in compensation for Murray, something which allowed for a low-risk acquisition on Minnesota’s part. The 29-year-old has not enjoyed a flawless acclimation period to head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s offense, but McCarthy has been unable to improve sufficiently to extend this competition any further. Stronger play at the quarterback spot compared to what McCarthy offered would go a long way in allowing for the Vikings to return to the playoffs in 2026.
After missing his entire rookie campaign due to meniscus surgery, McCarthy logged 10 starts in 2025. The former No. 10 pick largely struggled during that time, posting a passer rating of 72.6 and throwing more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (10). McCarthy has been praised for making strides recently, but it was telling that the Vikings acted as quickly as they did to acquire a veteran in the form of Murray. Today’s news will add even further to the uncertainty regarding McCarthy’s future in Minnesota.
McCarthy is currently the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback, O’Connell adds (via The Athletic’s Alec Lewis). A situation could conceivably arise in which McCarthy is dropped to No. 3 — behind veteran Carson Wentz, who re-signed on a one-year deal worth $3MM ($2.65MM guaranteed at signing) — in order to either move forward with a reset or ensure the embattled former top-10 pick stays far away from game action after a concerning debut season. Teams do not generally guarantee QB3s nearly $3MM; how the Vikings round out their QB depth chart for Week 1 will be a situation to closely monitor.
The Vikings found themselves out of postseason contention with a record of 4-8 at one point last season. The team ended on a five-game winning streak, though, suggesting stability under center could help complement a strong skill-position group and a productive defense. Minnesota managed to retain DC Brian Flores during this year’s hiring cycle, and many of the team’s core players from 2025 are still in the fold. That leaves Murray’s performance on his new team as a key storyline to follow this fall.
As a pending 2027 free agent, Murray’s ability to secure another big-money deal will obviously depend on his ability to thrive under O’Connell and Co. Poor play earlier in the year could lead to questions about a potential change to the depth chart. For now, at least, the Vikings have settled their quarterback spot by taking the much-anticipated veteran path.
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