Vikings Start Kyler Murray Over J.J. McCarthy After 57.6% Season Exposed Inconsistency
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 15
Vikings Start Kyler Murray Over J.J. McCarthy After 57.6% Season Exposed Inconsistency
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 15
Summary
Minnesota’s quick decision to hand Kyler Murray the QB1 job reflected deeper doubts about J.J. McCarthy than just this summer’s camp battle, according to a CBS Sports report.
McCarthy completed 57.6% of his passes with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 games in 2025, and team voices described him as "unpredictable" and lacking day-to-day consistency.
Those concerns pushed the Vikings into the quarterback market this offseason, and coach Kevin O’Connell named Murray the starter before the team’s first 2026 preseason game against the Giants.
McCarthy, still only 23 and in Year 3 after missing his rookie season with a knee injury, now faces a backup role under a new GM not tied to his draft selection.
Saturday’s preseason opener underscored the pecking order: Murray led the opening series, McCarthy went 4-of-7 for 34 yards, and Carson Wentz also competed for the backup spot.