**One way or another, the Vikings have to play out the bet they've made on J.J. McCarthy. The sample size is smaller of the games he's played in than the ones he's missed due to injury. Still, it's very clear that he needs bona fide competition for the starting job AND someone who is willing and able to mentor him.**
**This morning (Thursday) I read and watched video on NFL.com regarding Kyler Murray. Yes, everyone seems to have an opinion that needs to be aired. It seems as though the experts can't stop themselves from giving views on where Kyler should go. And again, a number of these sage advisors and commentators believe that Minnesota is the first and (maybe) best choice.**
**Sure, the veteran minimum salary angle makes it sound appealing, but that gets us through the 2026 season. What happens then? Would the Vikings have to pony up more of Kyler's 2027 guaranteed money to retain his services? Because how much of an impact can he possibly have on J.J.'s development if he's one and done?**
**But Kyler Murray is the hot topic this week, soaking up the on-air time on the cable feeds and internet, so let's talk about that. And at his best, he can perform like a one-man show on the Vegas Strip or effectively throw darts through impossibly tight windows to feed our downfield threats. And even 6 years older, his scrambling ability is mesmerizing to watch.**
**However, lest we forget, since signing that massive contract extension in 2022, he's spent an inordinate amount of time standing on the sidelines nursing an injury. So which version of Kyler would the Vikings get? Just look in the rearview mirror at last season, and how many games did we get out of Carson Wentz before he was lost for the season?**
**Obviously Kevin O'Connell and Rob Brzezinski are better equipped to handle these decisions. But I hope they weigh the scales evenly and take into consideration the long-term impact of their choices. Kyler wants to be a starter and likely still has the mad skills to justify a shot at that. J.J. needs a mentor more than anything to check his impulses and advise him on making both better and faster decisions.**
**To me that sounds more like Kirk Cousins than Kyler (or Tua Tagovailoa). Sure, there's less sizzle in the skillet, but that also implies there's more meat than fat on that hunk of bacon.**
**— David A. (From the North Shore but stuck in the South)**
Selecting McCarthy in 2024 and moving to him becoming the starter last year after he suffered the torn meniscus as a rookie led to mixed results and a 9-8 record in 2025. He went 6-4 in 10 starts despite dealing with multiple injuries.
At the time I'm writing this, Murray is still under contract with the Cardinals, so I'll keep things basic with regard to the 2019 No. 1 overall pick and only player ever drafted in the first round of two major sports leagues (NFL and MLB).
Murray is 38-48-1 in 87 regular-season starts with a career completion rate of 67.1 percent and a passer rating of 92.2.
Minnesota's passers in 2025 combined to complete 61.6 percent of passes and compile a passer rating of 75.3. Both categories have room for improvement, particularly passer rating, which is affected significantly by touchdowns (positive impact) and interceptions (negative impact).
Personally, I believe time on task (in a competitive environment) could be one of the most important factors for McCarthy's development. The Vikings have stayed consistent in saying they want to create a more competitive QB room.
Wentz's status — he is a pending free agent, but the Vikings haven't ruled out the possibility of bringing him back — is another interesting element to keep an eye on because of his significant experience, and it's quite possible Minnesota will go into training camp with four quarterbacks.