The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback for the upcoming season over former first-round draft pick JJ McCarthy.
Adam Schefter confirmed the decision on Tuesday afternoon following a training camp battle in Eagan. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal worth $1.3 million with the Vikings during the offseason after being released by the Arizona Cardinals. Murray signed the minimum deal hoping to become their starting quarterback, while Arizona paid him $35.5 million.
During training camp in Eagan, Murray took the majority of first-team reps while acclimating to head coach Kevin O'Connell's offensive system. Although miscommunications between Murray and his receivers surfaced earlier in camp, O'Connell still believes he is the man to lead the Vikings.
Murray will now have a month of full-time practice with Minnesota's starting offense ahead of the regular season, which begins against the Green Bay Packers on September 13. According to ESPN, McCarthy did take some first-team reps this summer, but his lack of consistency made Minnesota's decision an easy one.
Backup role and injury history
McCarthy will settle for being the backup quarterback in the latest blow to his NFL career after missing his entire rookie season due to injury. He started just 10 games last year for Minnesota, leading them to victory in six of them, before again having his season curtailed due to a number of injuries.
Back in April, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson threw down the gauntlet for last year's starter on the first day of the team's offseason minicamp.
"I'm definitely looking for those big, exciting plays [from Murray]," Jefferson said. "I'm definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he's shown countless times over the years."
"And then for J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he's got to step it up a little bit," Jefferson added. "So it's good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, 'It's either now or I'm going to take that back seat again.'"
"So it's all a competitive mindset when it comes to these type of things. So it's all about who's ready for that moment and who's ready to step up and take that initiative."
Quarterback turnover in Minnesota
The decision means Murray will become the Vikings' fourth different Week 1 starting quarterback in the past four years. Previously, Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold and McCarthy began as Minnesota's starting signal caller.
