The Minnesota Vikings have made their call at quarterback for Week 1, and that decision has plenty of people wondering what it means for J.J. McCarthy.
Free-agent signing Kyler Murray has been named the starter, but NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote Monday that head coach Kevin O'Connell is not done with McCarthy yet.
"[O'Connell is] going to keep developing McCarthy," Breer wrote. "What comes next for him isn’t certain, but the young quarterback has handled all this well, and that’ll give him a chance.
Now the Vikings can move forward. What happens beyond this year is muddled, with Murray on a one-year deal with a no-tag provision.
But that doesn’t really matter. What does is doing right by this year’s team.
And that’s what the QB decision was about."
Murray’s contract with Minnesota includes a no-tag provision, which means the Vikings cannot use the franchise tag to keep him beyond next offseason. He is set to open September as the clear No. 1, though his injury history is part of the conversation. In his final season with the Arizona Cardinals, Murray made only five starts before being shut down in December 2025 because of a foot injury.
McCarthy’s standing remains uncertain, but he may still stay in the picture. Breer noted that veteran Carson Wentz could move into the QB2 role if O'Connell and McCarthy decide a split makes sense for both sides. McCarthy also does not appear to carry much trade value after missing his entire rookie year while recovering from a full meniscus repair and then struggling over 10 starts in his second pro season.
Still, the Vikings have publicly backed him. Last week, O'Connell called McCarthy an "incredibly important member" of the team, and later general manager Nolan Teasley said Minnesota is "going to continue to coach and develop" McCarthy.
The timing of the decision also raised eyebrows, since the competition did not extend at least through the preseason opener at the New York Giants on Saturday. Breer reported that Minnesota moved when it did so the staff could "tailor the scheme more aggressively to Murray, and for the other 10 guys in the huddle to get more comfortable in that style of offense."
Breer also said the move was expected to help the run game, with Murray’s mobility stretching the back side of the defense on wide-zone plays and giving the Vikings more in the keeper game. His legs, Breer added, should also force defenses into zone looks or spies, which could benefit [wide receiver Justin Jefferson], [receiver Jordan Addison] and [tight end T.J. Hockenson] in the passing game.
Murray now has the rest of August to prepare for Minnesota’s regular-season opener against the rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13.
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Vikings May Already Have Their Answer To The Jonathan Greenard Risk
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What has given the Vikings some early comfort is the way Dallas Turner has looked in training camp and the preseason, giving them a young edge presence who could help soften the loss of Greenard. The idea was always to absorb some short-term risk for a broader payoff, and Turners development is already making that bet look a little less daunting. [Read more 🡒]