A sub-par season for first-year starter J. J. McCarthy in 2025, the Vikings moved early in free agency to sign a viable alternative under center. Jonathan Pye takes a look at what the signing of Kyler Murray means for the Vikings in 2026.
The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray this March on a one-year, veteran-minimum $1.3 million contract. A starting-calibre quarterback for that cheap is a no-brainer. As Rob Brzezinski rightly said during the Combine, the 2026 Minnesota Vikings need a base level of quarterback play. Last year, the team finished with a 9–8 record despite having statistically the worst quarterback play in the league, and if they’d stopped Devin Duvernay making a 65-yard kick return in the home game against the Bears, they would have hosted the Packers in the playoffs. Margins in sport are slim – the 2025 Vikings had unarguably one of the best rosters in the league except for the most important position, the quarterback. The front office has taken steps to address that in 2026, but is Kyler Murray a good fit and where does this move leave last year’s starter, J. J. McCarthy?
What does it mean for McCarthy?
Signing Kyler Murray is a tacit admission that starting J. J. McCarthy last year was a mistake. He wasn’t ready, and frankly he wasn’t mature enough. Kevin O’Connell has three winning seasons in his four years as Vikings head coach, but with no playoff victories, he’s on the hot seat entering year five. The Vikings are after an answer at quarterback and coach O’Connell can’t take any risks this year with his job on the line.
A question mark remains about McCarthy’s ability on the field. There were flashes, like the fourth-quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears in the first week of the season, against the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football, and the unforgettable win in Detroit; however, his performances at home to the Falcons, Ravens and Bears all left something to be desired. In my opinion, he’s another Trey Lance and I would move on from him while he still has some remaining value on the trade market.
The biggest issue is McCarthy’s toughness (or lack thereof). In his first season, he had a freak meniscus injury that ruled him out of the season, while this year, more concerningly, it was an ankle, a hand and a concussion. His play style leaves him prone to being injured, and until he protects himself better as an athlete, no one will take him seriously as an NFL starting quarterback.
Camp competition?
In some quarters of the media, it’s being dubbed a quarterback competition between Murray and McCarthy, but unless McCarthy comes back completely remodelled, as long as Murray remains healthy in camp, he will be the starter. There is no circumstance that I could ever see McCarthy beating out Murray. Understandably, the front office and head coach are interested in protecting McCarthy’s wellbeing as he lacks confidence at times, but more importantly protecting the little trade value he may have left. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if another veteran name was brought in to back up Murray either. Someone like last year’s backup, Carson Wentz, would fill the role perfectly. Any addition, though, will probably happen after the draft.
Will Murray fit the scheme?
There’s been a lot of talk about Murray’s height and how it might inhibit his ability to throw down the middle of the field, with both his own linemen and the hands of the defensive line getting in the way. However, in his last full season in Arizona in 2024, Murray only attempted 419 passes from the shotgun; compare that to Sam Darnold, who attempted 389. To say that Murray can’t play under center is completely false. Under Kliff Kingsbury, the style of offense was certainly tailored to his strengths, but the passing game opened up more from what was previously a college offense under offensive coordinator Drew Petzig. Concerns about batted passes are a bit overstated with Murray only having 10 in 17 games in 2024, the same number as both Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Josh Allen of the Bills. Meanwhile, Denver quarterback Bo Nix had 16 in 18 games, while former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins had 15 in 14 games in the same year.
Murray also has missed games with injury. Tearing his ACL in 2022 and having some other minor injuries throughout his career. Last year, he no doubt had a foot injury, but it was overstated to try and protect his trade value. Going into 2026, he should have a clean bill of health.
What do you think of the Vikings’ decision to bring in Kyler Murray? Do you think he walks into the QB1 spot on the depth chart? Is another veteran signing on the cards? Let us know via email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or drop us a DM on any of our social media channels.