Murray Named Vikings Starter; McCarthy Bench

The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback for the 2026 regular season, moving J.J. McCarthy to backup after a training camp competition. McCarthy expressed disappointment but said he would stay ready and support Murray as he develops with the team. Coach Kevin O’Connell cited Murray’s mental readiness and performance as giving him the edge, while noting McCarthy’s injury history and the presence of other quarterbacks like Carson Wentz kept the room open for future moves. Murray is on a one-year veteran minimum contract and has impressed with a playbook he says suits him, potentially stabilizing a team built to win now. The decision ends the McCarthy era in Minnesota for now, though trade buzz and questions about long-term fit remain. Analysts say McCarthy’s Vikings future will depend on his play elsewhere if given another opportunity.