The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, ending a training-camp competition with J.J. McCarthy for the job. Murray, who joined Minnesota on a one-year contract after being released by the Arizona Cardinals, will take over as the Vikings prepare for the regular season. The decision makes Murray the team’s fourth different Week 1 starting quarterback in four seasons, following Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold and McCarthy.
Murray entered the competition with considerably more NFL experience. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2019 has made 87 career starts and has thrown for 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns while adding 3,193 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns. His recent career has been interrupted by injuries, however, and he appeared in only five games for Arizona in 2025 because of a foot injury.
McCarthy, selected No. 10 overall by Minnesota in 2024, missed his entire rookie season after suffering a torn meniscus and then made 10 starts in 2025. He went 6-4 in those games as the Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs. His uneven passing production, which included a 57.6% completion rate, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, ultimately left the door open for the Vikings to turn to Murray.
Minnesota had maintained throughout the offseason that the starting job would be decided through a genuine competition. Coach Kevin O’Connell split first-team opportunities between Murray and McCarthy during offseason work and training camp, with the team evaluating how each quarterback handled the offense and pressure of the competition. Earlier reporting from the Associated Press described Murray as the presumptive favorite because of his experience, while the Vikings continued to give McCarthy an opportunity to close the gap.
The decision gives Murray the chance to revive his career in an offense featuring All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson and other established weapons. For McCarthy, the move represents a significant setback after the Vikings invested a top-10 draft selection in him two years ago. Minnesota will now enter the season with Murray as its QB1 while McCarthy moves into a backup role and looks to continue developing his game.
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