Overview
- Late May coverage confirms the Vikings signed Kyler Murray and will run an open training-camp competition to determine the Week 1 starter.
- NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero says Minnesota is unlikely to trade J.J. McCarthy and will keep him on the roster to compete rather than move him for limited return.
- If McCarthy loses the job he risks sliding to a backup or QB3 role that would sharply reduce his playing time and trade value after an injury-marred 2025 season.
- Analysts and former players call Murray the early favorite because of his proven upside, but veterans such as Warren Moon warn there is real uncertainty about which version of Murray will show up.
- Carson Wentz remains veteran insurance behind the two contenders and Minnesota’s low-cost Murray deal, coupled with the team’s 29th-ranked passing offense in 2025, makes training camp performance, health, and locker-room fit the decisive factors to watch.