Heading into the 2026 NFL season beginning with training camp and preseason action, the Minnesota Vikings are going to have an open quarterback competition on their hands.
After seeing J.J. McCarthy struggle last season, the Vikings were forced to make a move at the position. They went out in free agency and signed former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray following his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
Immediately after the signing, Murray was viewed as the favorite to be the team’s starter. While that expectation remains in place for many, it doesn’t sound like the team is ready to go that far.
According to a new report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings are planning to have a wide open quarterback competition.
“I don’t know how friendly that quarterback room is going to be,” Pelissero said. “It is going to be a very competitive quarterback room. … But Kyler comes in and hasn’t played in this offense. J.J. has got two years in it.
“It’s going to be interesting to watch these guys duke it out because you’ve got J.J., who’s got at least a foundation in the offense, you’ve got Kyler, who’s shown ability — he’s been to Pro Bowls, he’s been to the playoffs — and he’s only 28 years old. To me, this is going to be the most fascinating quarterback competition in the NFL. And from everything that I have understood, it is truly wide open.”
New Update Gives J.J. McCarthy a Chance With Vikings
When Minnesota made the decision to sign Murray, rumors immediately picked up about McCarthy becoming a trade candidate.
So far, the Vikings have shown no interest in moving on from their former first-round pick. McCarthy remains on the roster and is clearly still viewed as a candidate to be the starting quarterback.
Outside of Murray and McCarthy, Minnesota also has Carson Wentz on the roster. The veteran signal caller was re-signed after spending last season with the Vikings.
Nothing is being given to anyone. Minnesota wants to start the best quarterback on its roster. Perhaps McCarthy will be able to win the job and prove the Vikings right for taking him at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
A Look at J.J. McCarthy’s NFL Career So Far
McCarthy’s first season was a nightmare start for a young quarterback. He went down with a knee injury during the preseason and missed the whole year.
Last season, he entered Week 1 as the starter. He dealt with multiple injuries throughout the year and ended up playing in 10 games. In those appearances, he completed just 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while also running for 181 yards and four more scores.
There is no denying that the former Michigan standout has the talent to be an NFL starter. He simply needs to stay healthy and put it all together.
It’s going to be interesting to see who ends up winning the job in Minnesota. At least for now, McCarthy cannot be counted out.
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