J.J. McCarthy still in consideration for starting job over Kyler Murray
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J. J. McCarthy (9) warms up prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.
S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images The Minnesota Vikings added veteran quarterback Kyler Murray to the depth chart this offseason after J.
J. McCarthy struggled to stay healthy and produce when he was on the field last season. However, the Vikings aren’t handing the starting job to Murray, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, and McCarthy can win the starting job over Murray in what is expected to be a “true competition” between the two of them.
“They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J. J. McCarthy,” Pelissero said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show .
“And both these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job. I don’t know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room.