The Minnesota Vikings will determine their starting QB for Week 1 via a competition between Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, and Carson Wentz. Nonetheless, many expect Murray to win this competition and be QB1 for the Vikings, who are looking for a bounce-back season.
Minnesota will be counting on Murray to elevate their QB play this upcoming 2026 NFL season after missing the playoffs the previous campaign due to the performance under center.
As for Murray, he is looking for a fresh start after the Arizona Cardinals chose to cut ties with him this offseason. If Murray comes out on top in QB1, as many predict, former NFL player and ESPN radio host Chris Canty sees the Vikings as a dark horse to reach the NFC title game.
“If Kevin O’Connell can live up to the reputation of being a quarterback whisperer, if he can make it work with Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy is the outlier, then all of a sudden, this could be a team that wins a dozen or more games, contends for a division title, and goes on a deep playoff run,” Canty said on the April 17 edition of “Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle.”
“They absolutely have that on the board. Kyler Murray could have, you know, the Sam Darnold-like turnaround. That roster is good enough.”
Vikings Only Need Kyler Murray to Make Timely Plays in 2026
Moreover, Canty believes the Vikings don’t need Murray to be an extraordinary player; they just need him to make timely plays, given the high expectations for the defense after how the group finished last season.
“It is just a matter of making sure that you have the right guy under center, competent quarterback play, and then when your team needs it, playmaking from that position,” Canty added. “Kyler Murray has shown at different points in his career that he can do that. It is just a matter of the consistency, or lack thereof, for number one.
“But if he is able to be a better version of himself because of the partnership that he has with Kevin O’Connell, then I think the Minnesota Vikings are one of those dark horse teams to get to the NFC Championship.”
Last season with the Cardinals, which was cut short by injury, Murray posted a 72.2 overall PFF grade, ranking 22nd among 43 qualified quarterbacks. His 69.5 passing grade also placed 22nd at the position.
Across 195 dropbacks, he threw for 962 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He logged four big-time throws and three turnover-worthy plays. Murray also contributed on the ground, picking up 145 yards and one rushing touchdown. He finished with a 71.4 rushing grade, which ranked 15th among 30 qualified quarterbacks.
Lincoln Riley Doesn’t Hold Back on Kyler Murray
Murray has flashed his potential, which made him the No. 1 pick in 2019. However, the 28-year-old has yet to put everything together to become a consistent top QB in the NFL.
Nonetheless, the Vikings received a positive message that they are getting a motivated Murray as the player’s former college head coach, Lincoln Riley, expects big things from the QB.
“Watch out for Kyler Murray in Minnesota,” Riley said on an April 17 appearance on “The Jim Rome Show.” “I love, love the pairing of him with Kevin O’Connell. I think Kevin’s fabulous. And watch out with those two together. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
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