JJ McCarthy, Vikings
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Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy
The Minnesota Vikings and Kyler Murray are currently the internet’s hottest potential couple.
The Cardinals announced on Tuesday that they would be releasing Murray. This works out well for the Vikings, who just so happen to need some competition for their QB room.
Minnesota has recently been rumored more toward the older quarterbacks of the league. Think Geno Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, so on. Now, with Kyler Murray now officially getting his release, things have changed a bit.
Signing an older guy made the most sense in theory. You sign them to a one-year deal, and at the worst, McCarthy just sits for a year and learns.
However, if you’re bringing in Kyler Murray, the entire chess board gets tossed from the table.
Vikings Could Be Giving Up On McCarthy If Murray Is Signed
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Louis Riddick of ESPN’s GetUp had a scathing message for the young J.J. McCarthy. The panel discussed if Kyler Murray to Minnesota “made sense”. Riddick didn’t hold back.
“It makes sense if you’re closing the door on J.J. McCarthy. Kyler Murray’s not a bridge QB, that’s not why you’re signing him. You’re not signing him to mentor a young QB that you already have in your QB room. You’re not signing him because he’s 30-plus years old and you feel as if he’s coming to the end of his career.
This is a guy who still has a ton of runway left in his career, provided he can stay healthy. I just don’t think Kyler’s makeup is one where he’s a good backup…that’s not him at all.
So for him to go to Minnesota, what Kevin O’Connell is telling you? Is that J.J. McCarthy’s days in Minnesota (to me) are really over.”
It’s important to note that ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported that Kyler Murray is near or at the top of the Vikings’ QB wishlist in 2026.
Orlovsky Claims Kyler Murray Is Not A Fit In Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings
GettyGLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 23: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on from the sidelines against the Las Vegas Raiders during the NFL preseason 2025 game at State Farm Stadium on August 23, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
On an episode of Get Up on ESPN, Orlovsky had a strong take about the fit of Kyler Murray’s fit in Minnesota.
“I only like it. I do not love it. If I were Minnesota, my number one goal is to trade for Mac Jones, number two would be Aaron Rodgers and then I would entertain Kyler…in Kyler’s words, ‘I want to be a playmaker’. That’s not the role of the QB in this offense. In this offense, [the QB is a] point guard.”
There’s no denying that Kyler Murray wouldn’t be fun in the Vikings’ offense. The hypotheticals of his talents being at the hands of Kevin O’Connell and throwing to Justin Jefferson is the stuff of daydreams.
It only helps that the Vikings won’t really have to pay Murray anything if he is released by Arizona.