The Minnesota Vikings have settled their quarterback competition: Kyler Murray will be their starting quarterback heading into the regular season, the team announced Monday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Decision finalized before preseason opener
The announcement comes before Minnesota’s first preseason game Saturday against the New York Giants. Murray, who signed a one-year deal with the Vikings this offseason, will take all starter reps in the practices across the next month as Minnesota prepares for the regular season.
Murray, the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, returns to a starting role after limited action with Arizona last season and a full workload in 2024. In partial duty last year he played five games and completed 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. The year prior, when he started all 17 games, he threw for 3,851 yards with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, also completing 68.8 percent of his attempts.
Contract detail and roster implications
Murray’s contract contains a no-tag clause, which means he is projected to become an unrestricted free agent next March. That detail shapes both the Vikings’ short-term expectations and potential longer-term roster planning; the team has handed the immediate starting job to a veteran on a one-year pact.
J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, will move into the backup role for his third season after a difficult second year marked by injuries and inconsistent play. McCarthy started 10 games last season and struggled with efficiency and protection, finishing with a 57.6 percent completion rate for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also absorbed 27 sacks, which worked out to a sack rate of 10.0 percent, and posted a passer rating of 72.6.
What this means for Minnesota
By handing the reins to Murray, Minnesota is signaling it wants an experienced, proven passer to lead the offense. The move closes what had been an open competition in training camp, and gives the coaching staff a clear plan for preseason workload and game planning.
Key immediate consequences include:
- Starter practice reps: Murray will receive the bulk of first-team repetitions during training camp and preseason, sharpening timing with starters.
- Backup role solidified: McCarthy will now prepare to support and, if necessary, step in during the season from a backup position.
- Short-term roster planning: The one-year nature of Murray’s deal and the no-tag clause mean the Vikings retain flexibility heading into the 2027 offseason.
The decision also shapes public expectations. Rather than continuing an open competition, Minnesota now has a clear starter to evaluate through preseason and into the opener.
Stat comparison
| Player | 2025/2024 stats (selected) |
|---|---|
| Kyler Murray | 2025: 5 starts, 962 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT, 68.3% comp. | 2024: 3,851 yards, 21 TD, 11 INT, 68.8% comp. |
| J.J. McCarthy | 2025: 10 starts, 1,632 yards, 11 TD, 12 INT, 57.6% comp., 27 sacks, 72.6 passer rating. |
Minnesota’s first preseason test arrives Saturday at 1 p.m. ET against the Giants. With the starter declared, the coming practices and exhibition game figures to be as much about building continuity for Murray as it is about evaluating depth and situational readiness across the roster.
The decision resolves a high-profile quarterback question in the NFC North and places a veteran with a track record of production into a role that will be closely watched through the season, particularly given his contract situation and the team’s need to balance present competitiveness with future roster flexibility.
