{"id":858521,"date":"2026-04-07T08:36:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:36:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/858521\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T08:36:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:36:41","slug":"an-alleged-vikings-mystery-is-brewing-for-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/858521\/","title":{"rendered":"An Alleged Vikings Mystery Is Brewing for Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"MinnesotaA Minnesota Vikings helmet sits along the sideline before kickoff during an NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The horned logo reflects stadium lighting as the team prepares for postseason action in a high-stakes playoff environment. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

During the first week of free agency, the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray<\/a> after the Arizona Cardinals strangely let him depart without any rumblings of a trade. Most fans believe Murray will start Week 1 for the Vikings, but the QB1 outcome will evidently involve some mystery.<\/p>\n

Minnesota can say all the right things now, though the pecking order should come into focus by July.<\/p>\n

The Vikings will reportedly advertise a true camp battle<\/a>, scheduled to get underway in late July.<\/p>\n

Murray Carries the Edge into a Pivotal Vikings Camp; Some Say \u2018Not So Fast\u2019<\/p>\n

Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy; who you got?<\/p>\n

\"KylerKyler Murray scans the field during first-half action, operating Arizona\u2019s offense in a divisional matchup under the lights at State Farm Stadium. The sequence came on Nov 26, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; as the Cardinals faced the Rams, with Murray working to regain rhythm and timing following his return to the lineup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

The Apparent QB1 Camp Battle<\/p>\n

NBC Sports\u2018 Mike Florio level-set the Vikings\u2019 QB situation this week, writing<\/a>, \u201cThe Vikings currently have four quarterbacks on the roster. There is no starter, for now. Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell explained during a recent visit with PFT Live that, eventually, there will be a clear delineation of positions on the depth chart.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will come down, undoubtedly, to Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy. O\u2019Connell explained that he has no concern about McCarthy becoming disenchanted if he doesn\u2019t win the job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Training camp is about 16 weeks away. <\/p>\n

Florio added, \u201cThe best news for the Vikings is that, however it plays out, they\u2019ll have a solid No. 2 and (if Carson Wentz makes the final 53) a third-stringer who can win games if need be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLast year, Wentz showed up less than two weeks before Week 1, and he played better than anyone could have expected. This year, he\u2019ll be involved throughout the offseason program and training camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Writing Already on the Wall<\/p>\n

The Vikings can advertise and promote a quarterback battle until they\u2019re blue in the face, and that\u2019s fine. But the fact remains that Murray didn\u2019t pick Minnesota last month just to sit on the bench. He\u2019s not a wayward, down-on-his-luck bust like Sam Darnold<\/a> seemed in 2024; Murray is a legitimate NFL starter who, according to most, lived on a notoriously bad team.<\/p>\n

So while some will draw parallels between Murray and Darnold, Murray starts his career\u2019s second act from a much better spot than Darnold. Darnold was a punchline before 2024; Murray is not.<\/p>\n

McCarthy can do his damnedest to compete for the QB1 job, but it\u2019s Murray\u2019s to lose.<\/p>\n

Injuries to Remember<\/p>\n

Still, Murray is not guaranteed to play a full season. He\u2019s played a full season\u2019s worth of games three times in his career of an eligible seven opportunities. All told, Murray has missed 24% of his games in his career, meaning he plays about 12 or 13 games annually on average.<\/p>\n

\"J.J.Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates after a touchdown during the first half at AT&T Stadium, with the date Dec. 14, 2025 marking a road matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington. The moment reflected Minnesota\u2019s early offensive rhythm as McCarthy responded to a successful drive and energized teammates following the score. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj\u2013Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Therefore, when the time arrives, McCarthy must be ready. McCarthy personally isn\u2019t a beacon of durability either; it\u2019s one of the main reasons Murray ended up in the Twin Cities this offseason. With O\u2019Connell likely needing a winning season, complete with a playoff appearance and\/or win, he could not wholly trust McCarthy\u2019s rapidly accumulating injury resume.<\/p>\n

But if Murray goes down \u2014 he usually does \u2014 McCarthy\u2019s name will be called for an almighty chance to show off his refined mechanics and development.<\/p>\n

Cinema at Training Camp Nevertheless<\/p>\n

Minnesota started holding a quarterback training camp in 2024, but most assumed that Darnold \u2014 who was thought of as a dud at the time \u2014 would win the QB1 job that summer, at least in a bridge-quarterback capacity. This time, the Vikings coaching staff will tell the world it\u2019s \u201cMurray v. McCarthy,\u201d marking the first quarterback battle at camp since the Teddy Bridgewater<\/a> era (possibly earlier, depending on your recollection).<\/p>\n

\"KylerKyler Murray loosens up during pregame warmups, preparing to lead Arizona\u2019s offense in a late-season divisional test on the road. The scene occurred on Dec 22, 2019; Seattle, Washington, USA; ahead of the Cardinals\u2019 matchup with the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field, capturing Murray\u2019s routine before kickoff in a hostile environment. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

A teammate of McCarthy at Michigan, Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum, recently opined on McCarthy. He told NFL.com<\/a>:<\/p>\n

The ceiling is so high for J.J. You\u2019ve got to think, his rookie year, he went down with the injury. Last year, he had a bunch of injuries, as well, so he hasn\u2019t been on the field much. He hasn\u2019t really had a lot of playing time that quarterbacks need. It\u2019s a lot different going from college to the NFL. J.J. is a field general. I think he\u2019s going to take the challenge that they\u2019ve given him, obviously bringing in Kyler Murray, there\u2019s gonna be a competition.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s going to light a fire under him. But he\u2019s just an overall good human being. He\u2019s a competitor. I know he\u2019s not someone who\u2019s going to let naysayers or outsiders determine the type of player he\u2019s going to be. He still has the pencil in his own hand. He\u2019s still writing his story. I think this is going to be a great year for J.J., and I\u2019m super excited to see him prove everyone wrong.<\/p>\n

Kirk Cousins<\/a> held down the QB1 spot from 2018 to 2023, and quarterback competition just was not a thing.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re back, though, even if most of the world knows that Murray will be under center in Week 1.<\/p>\n

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