Vikings’ quarterback battle off to surprising start…
One quarterback appears to have an early lead in the Vikings’ quarterback competitors, and it’s most likely not who you assume it’s.
Despite many believing Kyler Murray is the favourite to win the Minnesota’s quarterback battle, ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak said everybody at the Vikings’ training camp thinks J.J. McCarthy has been the better QB by way of two days.
Solak said that Murray isn’t absolutely up to speed in head coach Kevin O’Connell system, and that his rust is also evident.
“It’s not perfect, we’re ironing out a lot of wrinkles out here, especially for Kyler Murray, who’s learning a new offense; he’s never really played in the Sean McVay-Kevin O’Connell system before,” Solak said. “So, there have been misses. And the kind of misses are because he’s studying the offense.
“He disagreed with Jordan Addison about whether or not a route should break or keep going vertical … this is the sort of stuff that figuring out training camp is for. Except unlike a quarterback who just changed jobs, Kyler only gets 50% of the first team reps because J.J. McCarthy is out there.”
Solak added that McCarthy seems more snug in O’Connell’s system after a tumultuous 2025 campaign.
“McCarthy looks better frankly because he’s been in this offense before,” Solak said. “He’s thrown to these receivers before. He has a better understanding and handle on the system. And that’s why this is a legitimate quarterback competition, because Kyler needs to get up to speed, that is a process that will take a couple of weeks. And then we’ll see if and when the Vikings are ready to name a starting quarterback for Week 1.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy (9) and Kyler Murray (1) in drills. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
McCarthy having the “lead” in the competitors is definitely surprising, particularly contemplating former Vikings receiver Adam Thielen said the job is Murray’s to lose on ESPN earlier this week.
But apparently not. At least as of now.
O’Connell said each Murray and McCarthy will take reps with the first and second team in apply to give different layers to the analysis.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
Murray signed with the Vikings on a one-year, veteran minimal deal in March after seven seasons with the Cardinals.
He tossed 121 touchdowns and ran for 32 more and guided Arizona to the playoffs in 2021.
The former No. 1 general decide was never a legal responsibility for the Cardinals, however wasn’t constant sufficient to turn out to be their franchise quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Getty Images
McCarthy, the tenth decide in the 2024 draft, missed his whole rookie season with a knee injury and was inconsistent at best in his first full season beginning in 2025.
While McCarthy went 6-4 as a starter, he threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
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