Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings
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(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings will have a QB competition to determine their starter for Week 1. Over the offseason, the Vikings signed Kyler Murray and re-signed Carson Wentz, with J.J. McCarthy, as Minnesota hopes the play under center doesn’t prevent them from reaching the playoffs.
After seeing Sam Darnold win Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks and the QB’s disappointing play during the 2025 NFL season, head coach Kevin O’Connell and the team’s front office are taking a different approach.
On April 3,NBC Sports NFL insider Mike Florio shared the latest on the team’s QB competition and what part will determine who wins the battle.
“Coach Kevin O’Connell explained during a recent visit with PFT Live that, eventually, there will be a clear delineation of positions on the depth chart,” Florio wrote.
“The real question is when. He didn’t rule out the possibility of determining the starter entering training camp. That seems unlikely, however. The competition will likely commence during preseason practices and games.”
Moreover, despite having Wentz back in the fold, Florio notes that the competition is strictly between Murray and McCarthy.
“It will come down, undoubtedly, to Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy,” Florio added. “O’Connell explained that he has no concern about McCarthy becoming disenchanted if he doesn’t win the job.
“The best news for the Vikings is that, however it plays out, they’ll have a solid No. 2 and (if Carson Wentz makes the final 53) a third-stringer who can win games if need be.”
Jets Wanted Carson Wentz to Be Their QB2
During an April 2 appearance on SNY’s SportsNite, New York Jets insider Connor Hughes noted thatKirk Cousins, who signed with theLas Vegas Raiders, wasn’t a priority for New York to be their backup, given that the player they wanted to be QB2 was Wentz.
“[The Jets] were really hoping that player [for their backup QB role] was going to be Carson Wentz, and that was somebody that Frank Reich really was hoping, just because he’s somebody who knows his offense and somebody they value a lot,” Hughes said. “And if he needed to play, he could come in there and do it at a high level because of his familiarity with Reich’s system.
“But unfortunately, Carson decided to go to the Minnesota Vikings, where it would not surprise me at all to see him as Kyler Murray’s backup, not J.J. McCarthy. But now the Jets need to pivot, and honestly, there aren’t that many appealing options out there.”
Vikings Recently Shared an Update on J.J. McCarthy
After a rollercoaster 2025 season, the Vikings are forcing McCarthy to earn the job, and Kevin Seifert of ESPN shared what head coach Kevin O’Connell said regarding the latest on the young QB’s efforts to do just that.
“Kevin O’Connell said that J.J. McCarthy is back in Minnesota after spending the early part of the offseason training in California, and has been in the building most days working out in the weight room,”Seifert wrote on March 30 on X.
McCarthy posted a 61.8 overall PFF grade during the 2025 season, ranking 35th among 43 qualified quarterbacks. His passing grade was 60.1, ranking 35th at the position.
Across 1,632 snaps played and 291 dropbacks, he totaled 1,632 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He mixed in 19 big-time throws but was also charged with 15 turnover-worthy plays.