Kevin O'Connell Names Kyler Murray Minnesota's Starting Quarterback
Kyler Murray named Vikings starting QB over J.J. McCarthy for 2026 season.
Kyler Murray beats out J.J. McCarthy for Vikings starting QB job...
The Minnesota Vikings announced Tuesday that offseason addition Kyler Murray will start at quarterback to open the season.
Murray signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract this offseason. The 29-year-old beat out J.J. McCarthy, the former Michigan standout, for the job. Murray was cut by the Arizona Cardinals after spending the first seven seasons of his NFL career in Arizona.
Murray becomes Minnesota’s fourth Week 1 starter in four years. Kirk Cousins started in 2023, Sam Darnold in 2024, and J.J. McCarthy got the nod in 2025.
“After internal discussions and daily evaluations of where we are right now, we have named Kyler Murray our starting quarterback,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “It’s been a real competition, and we feel we’ve done a full evaluation.”
O’Connell said Murray, McCarthy, and general manager Nolan Teasley were all in the meeting where the decision was communicated to both quarterbacks.
McCarthy was drafted in the first round by Minnesota in 2024 and took over as the starter to begin last season after Darnold left in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks.
The Vikings’ other quarterbacks include ex-Super Bowl winner Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer.
According to O’Connell, both Murray and McCarthy are expected to play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Giants.
A former No. 1 overall pick, Murray was selected by Arizona out of Oklahoma in the 2019 NFL Draft. In his seven seasons with the Cardinals, he earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2019 and was named to the Pro Bowl in both 2020 and 2021.
“There's comfort from Kyler in the scheme,” O'Connell said. “He had some really high completion days where he was able to show some really, really good understanding of just putting the ball in play, playing with great timing and rhythm. … As you continue to look at the body of work really through those 10 days, what jumped out is what could be.”
Murray’s 2025 season was cut short after just five games due to a foot injury. He finished the year with 962 passing yards, 6 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions, plus 173 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown.
Over the past five seasons, Murray has only played a full 17-game schedule once. In 87 career games, he’s 38-48-1 as a starter, completing 67.1% of his passes for 20,460 yards, 121 TDs and 60 INTs. He’s also added 3,193 yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground.
Vikings plan to name Kyler Murray their starting QB. (via @adamschefter) pic.twitter.com/Apv4inYJvd
— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2026
Injuries have also slowed McCarthy early in his NFL career. The Vikings took him 10th overall in the 2024 Draft, but a torn meniscus cost him his entire rookie season.
The former Michigan quarterback has 10 career starts so far. He’s completed 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 181 yards and 4 scores, and holds a 6-4 record as a starter.
“(He is an) incredibly important member of our quarterback room and our team,” O'Connell said about McCarthy.
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