Vikings name Kyler Murray starting QB over J.J. McCarthy ahead of first preseason game
Kyler Murray named Vikings starting QB: 'I take this job with great pride'
The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback before Tuesday's training camp practice at TCO Performance Center. Murray spoke with reporters after, saying he didn't expect to be handed the job and appreciated the team's transparency in the competition with J.J. McCarthy.
EAGAN, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings are in the middle of training camp and have their first preseason game on Saturday, and have made a decision on a starting quarterback.
Vikings name Kyler Murray starting QB
What we know:
Vikings' coach Kevin O'Connell announced before Tuesday afternoon's practice at TCO Performance Center that Kyler Murray is the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Minnesota brought him in on a one-year contract for the veteran minimum after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals.
O'Connell and Vikings' General Manager Nolan Teasley, along with the rest of the staff, made the decision for Murray to be the starter ahead of Saturday's first preseason game at the New York Giants. O'Connell said both Murray and McCarthy will play in that game.
O'Connell and Teasley spoke with both Murray and McCarthy on Tuesday after the decision was final. They then addressed the team in a meeting.
Kyler Murray named Vikings starting QB over J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings announced Tuesday Kyler Murray is the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. Murray spoke with reporters after Tuesday's training camp practice, and FOX 9's Ahmad Hicks was there.
"In the short time speaking about Kyler, I think he’s demonstrated what he’s capable of. I think he’s shown enough to really project with the right prerequisite work now for a starter leading into a camp that we can get the rhythm, the timing, we can get the mastery of our system and this year’s system," O'Connell said. "He’s got the skillset and the abilities, now we want to start building a comfort level."
O'Connell stressed Tuesday the battle was a true competition. They split reps with the first and second team offense as much as they could. The Vikings have had 10 training camp practices. Both have had good days and struggles, including Murray having some struggles in Sunday night's practice. O'Connell said Murray has done enough to be the starter moving forward.
Vikings name Kyler Murray starting QB ahead of first preseason game
Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell announced before Tuesday's training camp practice at TCO Performance Center that Kyler Murray has been named the starting quarterback for the 2026 season. He beat out J.J. McCarthy in the quarterback competition after signing with Minnesota in free agency.
O'Connell never said publicly what the team's timeline was to name a starting quarterback, but the consensus was they wanted a decision before the first preseason game.
"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 good understanding of putting the ball in play. As you look at the body of work through those 10 days, what jumped out is what could be," O'Connell said. "At some point in this thing, knowing the timeline we had and knowing we needed to do some sort of projection, just some of those things bode really well for his role now. We wanted to do what was best for the team."
Murray is entering his eighth NFL season. He started just five games last year, and is 38-48-1 as a starter for his career. He threw for more than 3,800 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024.
He spoke with reporters after Tuesday's practice on being named the starter.
"The whole process was great. Full transparency from KO to me, to J.J to everybody in the room. The competition was what it was, it was everything I expected it to be. I didn’t expected to be handed the job or anything like that," Murray said. "I just expected to come here and compete, I’m very appreciative of how it was handled."
What does it mean for J.J. McCarthy?
Why you should care:
J.J. McCarthy went 6-4 as the Vikings’ starting quarterback last season, but missed seven games between an ankle injury, concussion and fractured finger at the end of the season after being a first round draft pick in 2024. He missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his knee. McCarthy threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.
O'Connell said McCarthy will be the back-up, and he remains a key piece of the roster.
"Nothing changes as far as J.J. being an incredibly important member of our quarterback and our team. Maybe the news was tough this morning, he went into this thing trying to battle and win this thing. He’s ready to go," O'Connell said. "As he knows, he's holding the pen on his story and we're going to support him. He's still absolutely part of the long-term vision for sure."
The Vikings also have Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer on the roster.
What's next:
The Vikings open preseason action at the New York Giants at noon Saturday, a game you can watch on FOX 9.