Kevin O’Connell declares Vikings QB competition is far from over

The Minnesota Vikings have head coach Kevin O’Connell teasing who’ll start at quarterback for 2026. O’Connell blurted out two days ago that the Vikings competition behind center is a heated one. Looks like the battle between newcomer Kyler Murray and past first rounder JJ McCarthy isn’t over yet.

Vikings insider for The Athletic Alex Lewis revealed where things now stand as of Thursday.

“Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says the team will take the QB competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy into training camp,” Lewis posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

O’Connell then dove into what he hopes to really see out of the QB1 winner.

“I want to see these guys in a very, very unique and difficult circumstance to elevate their games and help the Vikings,” O’Connell said via Lewis.

Both quarterback have tasted the playoffs before. Murray took the 2021 Arizona Cardinals into the postseason. But their appearance became short-lived by falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Super Wildcard weekend. Arizona never returned to the postseason since that time, even with its former 2019 top overall pick leading the offense. Murray eventually became a roster cut before NFL Free Agency started in March 2026.

McCarthy entered the 2024 season projected to take over the starting duties despite Minnesota adding Sam Darnold. McCarthy tore his ACL, however before experiencing his first regular season taste. Darnold guided a 14-3 campaign that saw the Vikings come close to winning the NFC North title. Darnold eventually led the Seattle Seahawks to their Super Bowl victory last season.

Now Murray versus McCarthy isn’t over yet, per O’Connell’s words.

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