The Minnesota Vikings biggest issue during the 2025 NFL season was quarterback play. Minnesota finished with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs. In the prior season, they had a 14-3 record when Sam Darnold was the quarterback.
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) walks off the field after the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Vikings had to play musical chairs with its quarterbacks last season. J.J. McCarthy was the starter to begin the season, but he had “injuries” and also did not play well. Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also started some games for them as well. As the 2026 NFL season approaches, it is going to be a competition for the starting quarterback job between McCarthy and Kyler Murray.
Minnesota Vikings Insider Reveals True Quarterback Competition Between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray
Apr 5, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; NFL quarterback Kyler Murray looks on during the first half of the game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Kevin Seifert of espn.com wrote about how the quarterbacks for the Vikings could potentially perform in minicamp. Seifert said,
“For the third consecutive spring, all eyes in Minnesota are on the quarterback(s). In 2024, the Vikings were giving snaps to newly signed free agent Sam Darnold and rookie J.J. McCarthy. Last year, they were giving McCarthy a long runway to earn the starting job.
This spring, they are conducting a nominal competition between McCarthy and newcomer Kyler Murray. Most observers expect Murray to win the job, and he has looked sharp early in OTAs, but the Vikings want to leave open the possibility that McCarthy makes enough progress to suggest he could mount a serious challenge during training camp.”
It is obvious that they didn’t sign Murray to be the backup quarterback. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has to acknowledge that this is an open competition. It will be interesting to see how McCarthy and Murray will look in mandatory minicamp. This quarterback battle for Minnesota will also spill over into training camp even though this shouldn’t as well.
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