Looks like our fun is going to keep on keeping on as it should. What would we do without some kind of \u201ccontroversy\u201d to talk about? It sure does make the offseason go by quicker that is for sure. The QB \u201ccompetition\u201d will be front and center for most of this offseason. What else would it be though? Every throw in the non-contact practices will be over analyzed and dissected by nimrods who think they know what they are seeing. Every comment from the participating QBs will be over analyzed and dissected as well. It has already started. We need to break out the jump to conclusions mat!<\/p>\n
As an aside. I think TJ Hockenson is going to have a great year!<\/p>\n
Minnesota Vikings News and Links<\/p>\n
Vikings\u2019 J.J. McCarthy uses classroom analogy to describe relationship with Kyler Murray: \u2018He sits on one side; I sit on the other side\u2019 For Murray, coming to Minnesota meant a fresh start, one that allowed him to play for the team the Allen, Texas, native grew up rooting for. On the other hand, for McCarthy, Murray\u2019s arrival signaled the birth of a fierce competition.<\/p>\n \u201cLook, the organization made a decision that they feel like is going to improve the depth and the quality of the room,\u201d McCarthy said Wednesday at Vikings OTAs. \u201cThey feel like they made that decision.<\/p>\n \u201cBut all I\u2019m thinking about is continuing the upward trajectory that I set for myself last season, that last quarter of the season, and continue to be the best version of me every single day.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s just like two guys in a classroom,\u201d McCarthy said Wednesday. \u201cHe sits on one side, I sit on the other side, and it\u2019s the coaches\u2019 responsibility to teach us and coach us.\u201d<\/p>\n McCarthy was then asked if there\u2019s any awkwardness.<\/p>\n \u201cAwkwardness?\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just like the same feeling when you\u2019re in high school, and there\u2019s another person on the other side of the room, that\u2019s just kind of how it is. So I wouldn\u2019t say there\u2019s any awkwardness.\u201d \u201cThen I would be disappointed if the rain fell,\u201d McCarthy said in response. \u201cThat\u2019s out of my control, and, at the end of the day, I just got to focus on what I can do to be the best quarterback for this football team.\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s been great,\u201d Murray, 28, said of his connection with McCarthy, 23.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I know he\u2019s a younger guy, so any way I can help him \u2026 I\u2019ve played seven years now going on eight. So I\u2019m considered a veteran, even though I don\u2019t see myself as that. [I can] give him any knowledge that he needs. Again, we\u2019re both competitors, and I know we both want what\u2019s best for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n Murray is ecstatic about the potential of the offense he\u2019s now working with. He effused about the playmakers surrounding him, namely wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.<\/p>\n \u201cI mean, I don\u2019t know how you can\u2019t love that room,\u201d Murray told reporters, when asked about the Vikings\u2019 receiver room. \u201cObviously, you\u2019ve got the best receiver in the league and then JA and the guys, and you add Jauan [Jennings], all the young guys that have the talent and ability that are hungry to go prove it and then the tight end \u2014 you look at the skill position in general; I know it\u2019s widely regarded as one of the most QB-friendly offenses around the league. So I\u2019m happy to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n Murray added: \u201cIt\u2019s kind of an embarrassment of riches around here.\u201d<\/p>\n He also discussed the impeccable teaching ability of his new head coach, Kevin O\u2019Connell, the 2024 AP NFL Coach of the Year. Murray said O\u2019Connell\u2019s offense is \u201creally wordy,\u201d but he\u2019s confident he\u2019ll have it down in due time thanks to mental reps. \u201cMy confidence is unshakeable,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s how I feel about myself. Regardless of what happens day-to-day, I know the next day I\u2019m coming out here to give my best effort, put my best foot forward and give whatever the team needs. So that\u2019s what you\u2019re getting with me as far as confidence goes. You won\u2019t see me waver.\u201d<\/p>\n Dan Orlovsky makes bold statement about J.J. McCarthy after comments after OTAs \u201cIt was an uphill battle for JJ McCurthy on the field in this competition. Hearing the answers, it sounds like there\u2019s an uphill battle off the field as well, and if you haven\u2019t, I guess divided the locker room or lost the locker room, I don\u2019t think that answer is helping you.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a reality to that with J.J.\u2019s answer, and I like J.J. I\u2019ve supported J.J. I\u2019m rooting for JJ. At times, it just feels like it\u2019s at least publicly it\u2019s an act. I have to have this bravado type of response\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re on the same team, we all know you\u2019re competing. At the end of the day, whoever plays better is more than likely going to win that job, so for you to have that type of response \u2018we\u2019re just in the same room,\u2019 it\u2019s almost, I don\u2019t want to say it, [but] it feels like you\u2019re trying to divide the locker room. Are you Team J.J. or are you Team Kyler? And he comes across that way at times.\u201d<\/p>\n OTA Observations: Kyler Murray & J.J. McCarthy Distribute Footballs; Line Refines Technique It was the first time Murray or Jennings met with Twin Cities press after signing with the team during free agency this spring after playing in the NFC West on the Cardinals and 49ers, respectively, since 2019 and 2020. Murray hyped Jennings\u2019 play. And Jennings reacted like the internet did when he was asked about joining forces with returning star wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, amongst other skillsters.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s awesome,\u201d he said with a smile. \u201cI feel like Kevin Durant with the Warriors.\u201d \u201cHe\u2019s got a great energy about him,\u201d McCarthy continued. \u201cBeen watching him for a long time; he\u2019s been doing it [at a really] high level for a long time and we\u2019re blessed to have him part of this group.\u201d<\/p>\n Vikings OTA Recap: Both QBs Play Well, Kyler Murray Wows With Deep Ball McCarthy got the first reps in 7-on-7 action and came out guns blazing. His first throw was a deep ball up the left sideline to Jordan Addison, who had a busy day with Justin Jefferson only mixing in for a handful of plays. McCarthy then progressed to the back side and connected with Josh Oliver. And his third throw was a seam ball up the middle to Tai Felton, who went up and made a great catch.<\/p>\n McCarthy finished that first batch of reps 4 for 4 with a checkdown to Addison. Two of his completions went for big gains. The only thing you could nitpick is that Felton was quite open on the third play, and a perfect ball might\u2019ve given him the chance to stay on his feet and go the distance. Regardless, it was an early statement that certainly caught my eye. What J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray are saying about Vikings\u2019 QB competition during OTAs Murray was warmer in his assessment of the relationship, saying McCarthy is \u201coverly acceptive [sic] and he\u2019s always communicating, asking questions, stuff like that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been great. Obviously I know he\u2019s a younger guy, so anyway I can help him, obviously. I feel like \u2014 I\u2019ve played seven years, going on 8, so I\u2019m considered a veteran even though I don\u2019t see myself as that,\u201d Murray said. \u201cGive him any knowledge that he needs. Again, we\u2019re both competitors and I know we both want what\u2019s best for the team.\u201d<\/p>\n The two may differ in their assessment of what\u2019s best, though. Both men sound confident in their ability to win the job.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a drive that\u2019s been driving me since fifth grade, since I decided to be at this level and perform really well at this level,\u201d McCarthy said. \u201cI work my tail off and I compete with myself every single day. Regardless of the external factors, I\u2019m going to continue to do what I\u2019ve been doing to get to this point.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy confidence is unshakeable, that\u2019s how I feel about myself,\u201d Murray said. \u201cRegardless of what happens day to day, I know the next day I\u2019m coming out here to give my best effort, put my best foot forward and give whatever the team needs.\u201d<\/p>\n J.J. McCarthy doubters may be repeating a brutal NFL mistake Minnesota Vikings have a crucial advantage over the rest of the NFL that Kyler Murray is primed to take advantage of Minnesota Vikings Icon \u2018Likely\u2019 to Return to Team for 2026 The secondary is also missing a key figure, as franchise icon Harrison Smith was released from the roster this offseason. The six-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro has played in 207 games since 2012, but there\u2019s been no word on whether Smith has plans of playing a 15th NFL season.<\/p>\n However, according to SKOR North\u2019s Vikings insider Darren \u201cDoogie\u201d Wolfson, there\u2019s a chance that Smith could still decide to return for another season.<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that while Smith is no longer under contract in Minnesota, he also hasn\u2019t filed his retirement papers.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is staying in shape,\u201d Wolfson said. \u201cWe can\u2019t rule out retirement. \u201d<\/p>\n \u201cCould it be by the time joint practices occur with Baltimore that Harrison Smith signs on August 18th? I suppose. I\u2019m not ruling that out. I think it\u2019s more likely that it happens than it doesn\u2019t happen. I think a 15th season is coming, I really do.\u201d<\/p>\n ESPN analyst rips Vikings for screwing up Jonathan Greenard trade \u201cHowever, defensive tackles like Quinnen Williams and Dexter Lawrence landed first-round picks in deals, and edge rusher Maxx Crosby (briefly) netted the Raiders two first-rounders,\u201d Barnwell wrote. \u201cDid the Vikings really do themselves any favors by waiting until late April to deal Greenard? They landed only a pair of third-round picks from the Eagles. One of those picks was the 98th selection in this year\u2019s draft, and it would be a surprise if the 2027 third-rounder landed anywhere before No. 90. Two late third-round picks isn\u2019t a ton for a player as explosive as Greenard, who was still blowing by people on tape at less than 100 percent a year ago.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMost Underappreciated\u201d Viking Gets National Recognition Left up to Vikings fans, most would\u2019ve picked defensive tackle Jalen Redmond for this list, but Tom Blair at NFL.com disagreed.<\/p>\n He nominated Turner and noted, \u201cTurner didn\u2019t do much in 2024 after being drafted 17th overall, appearing in 16 games as a rookie but playing just 28 percent of Minnesota\u2019s defensive snaps and mustering a paltry three sacks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHis eight-sack effort last season sort of snuck by me, with 4.5 of those coming between Weeks 13 and 18, when the Vikings were mostly playing out the string on the remainder of a lost season. Turner\u2019s encouraging sophomore effort came into better focus when I was digging deeper into a slightly bizarre (but positive!) speculative case I was building about his team.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThanks to Jonathan Greenard\u2019s exit via trade, it is looking like Turner\u2019s, uh, turn to show what he can really do. So don\u2019t be like me; start appreciating Turner now, before it\u2019s too late,\u201d Blair concluded.<\/p>\n A New Vikings Weapon is Already Talking Trash with Brian Flores Vikings Defender Appears to Have Switched Positions T.J. Hockenson entering a Vikings season that could change everything
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/nfl\/article\/vikings-jj-mccarthy-uses-classroom-analogy-to-describe-relationship-with-kyler-murray-he-sits-on-one-side-i-sit-on-the-other-side-214730761.html<\/a><\/p>\n
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When asked about his relationship with Murray, McCarthy used a head-turning classroom analogy.<\/p>\n
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Later, a reporter inquired if McCarthy was disappointed that the Vikings brought aboard Murray.<\/p>\n
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Murray described a warmer dynamic with McCarthy, who Murray said has been receptive to pointers, communicative and inquisitive.<\/p>\n
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After a seven-year run with the Cardinals, with whom he made the playoffs just once, Murray is motivated to write a new chapter in his new home.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/atozsports.com\/nfl\/minnesota-vikings-news\/dan-orlovsky-makes-bold-statement-jj-mccarthy-ota-comments-kyler-murray\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.vikings.com\/news\/kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy-2026-ota-practice-observations<\/a><\/p>\n
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McCarthy also is \u201cso happy\u201d to have Jennings part of the offense.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/vikings\/onsi\/vikings-ota-recap-both-qbs-play-well-kyler-murray-wows-with-deep-ball<\/a><\/p>\n
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One late-round rookie I\u2019m very intrigued by is running back Demond Claiborne. There\u2019s obviously no tackling in practice, but he had a couple reps where his burst and change-of-direction ability just jumped out at you. Keep an eye on No. 21 moving forward.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/minnesota\/news\/jj-mccarthy-kyler-murray-vikings-otas-qb-competition\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/thevikingage.com\/jj-mccarthy-doubters-may-repeating-nfl-mistake-minnesota-vikings<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/atozsports.com\/nfl\/minnesota-vikings-news\/minnesota-vikings-crucial-advantage-2026-schedule-kevin-oconnell-kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/minnesota-vikings-icon-likely-return-183834735.html<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/clutchpoints.com\/nfl\/minnesota-vikings\/vikings-news-espn-analyst-rips-minnesota-screwing-jonathan-greenard-trade<\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/most-underappreciated-viking-gets-national-110400950.html<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2026\/news\/top_news\/new-vikings-weapon-trash-dc<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2026\/news\/top_news\/vikings-appears-positions<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/thevikingage.com\/tj-hockenson-entering-minnesota-vikings-season-could-change-everything<\/a><\/p>\n