The Vikings are turning to Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that Minnesota is moving him ahead of J.J. McCarthy.
Murray arrived in Minnesota on a veteran-minimum deal this offseason, and the move sends McCarthy into the backup role after a season defined by injuries and uneven play.
At 29, Murray has already taken a winding path to this point. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Cardinals after deciding to chase an NFL career, even though the Oakland A’s had taken him in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft.
His rookie deal in Arizona came in at four years and $35,158,644, with a $23,589,924 signing bonus. The Cardinals later picked up his fifth-year option, which was projected to be worth $29.7 million for the 2023 season.
In 2022, Murray landed a five-year, $230.5 million extension with Arizona that included $160 million guaranteed. He then joined the Vikings on a one-year deal this past offseason after the Cardinals released him.
Murray played in five games for Arizona in 2025, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 962 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions. He also added 173 rushing yards and a touchdown.
McCarthy, 23, came into the league with a national title on his résumé. He led Michigan to the 2023 National Championship and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors before Minnesota took him with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft.
His contract was a four-year, $21,854,796 deal that included a $12,714,396 signing bonus and carried a $3,973,599 cap figure for the 2024 season. The deal also includes a fifth-year option the team can exercise in 2028.
In 2025, McCarthy played in 10 games for the Vikings and completed 57.6 percent of his throws for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 181 yards and four scores.
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