The Minnesota Vikings added veteran quarterback Kyler Murray to the depth chart this offseason after J.J. McCarthy struggled to stay healthy and produce when he was on the field last season.
However, the Vikings aren’t handing the starting job to Murray, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, and McCarthy can win the starting job over Murray in what is expected to be a “true competition” between the two of them.
“They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy,” Pelissero said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. “And both these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job. I don’t know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room.
“From everything that I’ve understood, it is truly wide open, they’re keeping an open mind as a coaching staff.”
Are we getting a true QB competition in Minnesota this offseason?#NFL #SKOL pic.twitter.com/iQ4Su2fBBQ
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) May 8, 2026
Murray is coming off his own health concerns, after his season with the Arizona Cardinals last season was marred by a foot injury that cost him the bulk of the campaign.
It’s clear that the Vikings organization has little patience for a rebuild after watching former quarterback Sam Darnold lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory last season. So, in what figures to be a completely merit-based approach to the most important position, whoever is ready to produce at the highest level will earn the job in Minnesota.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.