The Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, ending a training-camp competition with J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O'Connell announced the decision, according to the team's official announcement.
"He's demonstrated what he's capable of, both the experience he has playing at a high level in this league, but also his experience now of coming in here being challenged," O'Connell said of Murray.
How Murray got here
Murray, 29, was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft and spent seven seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, making 87 starts before his release. He signed a one-year contract with Minnesota in March 2026, a move Uristocrat covered as part of that week's quarterback carousel.
Across his Arizona tenure he threw for 20,460 yards with 121 touchdowns against 60 interceptions, completing 67.1% of his passes for a 92.2 passer rating. He added 3,193 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns. He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his second and third seasons.
What happens to McCarthy
McCarthy, selected No. 10 overall in the 2024 draft, started 10 games in 2025 while working through a high-ankle sprain, a hand injury and a concussion. He threw 11 touchdown passes and ran for four more, and Minnesota went 6-4 in his starts. He becomes the backup.
O'Connell said "nothing changes as far as J.J. being an incredibly important member of our quarterback room and our team."
What comes next
The announcement gives Murray the remainder of training camp with the first-team offense before the regular-season opener.
The decision lands in a Vikings offseason that has already turned over the front office. The team fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and then hired Seahawks executive Nolan Teasley to replace him. McCarthy was drafted under the previous regime.
Source: Vikings.com, with additional detail from NFL.com.
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