The quarterback picture in Minnesota may be getting a lot clearer, and that matters plenty for the Packers’ Week 1 prep.
Green Bay opens the 2026 season against the Vikings, and the obvious question is whether it will be J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray under center. Minnesota has framed it as a competition, but Murray is the heavy favorite, even as the Vikings have tried to keep things quiet.
That secrecy may have taken a hit thanks to a traffic stop involving former Athletic insider Dianna Russini. A bodycam video released by The Center Square's Adam Herbets showed Russini in a conversation with an officer, with the exchange pointing to Kevin O'Connell and, by extension, Minnesota’s quarterback situation.
Russini:"Look what I said to him, though, just now. Go to the bottom."
Officer:"Oh my god. Wow, pretty cool."
Russini: "Dude, I love the Vikings. KOC’s awesome."
Officer:"Yeah, he seems like a good dude."
Russini:"Your quarterback sucks, though."
Russini did not FaceTime the coach as initially reported, but the video still suggested she was showing the officer a text exchange with O'Connell. The comments make it sound like the conversation may have been about McCarthy.
That would fit the bigger picture. Minnesota went to McCarthy after Sam Darnold helped deliver 14 wins in 2024, but the 2025 season was rough. McCarthy was injured, or “soft benched” if you prefer, and finished with 57.6 percent completions, 1,632 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
He also spent the year as a lightning rod. His “NINE” meme became a staple online, and even his OTAs comments drew attention when he compared the quarterback room to two kids on opposite ends of the classroom while competing with Murray.
For Green Bay, the difference matters. The Packers did not rest their starters in one game against McCarthy and rolled to a 23-6 win, holding him to 87 yards and two interceptions. That kind of outing would normally make McCarthy the more familiar target for a Week 1 game plan, but the current read is that Murray is the one the Packers should expect.
Russini’s track record only adds weight to that idea. She also had the inside scoop on Aaron Rodgers’ possible move to Minnesota last offseason, so if she was relaying something from O'Connell here, it could be a pretty good sign the Vikings’ real quarterback direction is already coming into focus.
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