Vikings Pick Murray As Their Starting QB Over McCarthy

August 12, 2026 4:26 am

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have chosen Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy in the widely expected conclusion to what coach Kevin O’Connell pledged was a true competition. The announcement gives Murray a full month of full-time repetitions with the first-team offense before the regular season begins on Sept. 13. O’Connell and general manager Nolan Teasley met with both players in the morning to discuss the decision. An earlier decision on the starter was always going to be ideal for Murray as he’s learning a new system after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Arizona Cardinals.