NFL’s newest GM weighs in on wide open quarterback battle for 2026 as third star tipped to enter fray

The Minnesota Vikings waited a while to find their new man in-charge of the organization.

And if his early thoughts are anything to go by they may have a while to wait before they know their starting quarterback in the NFL’s most open quarterback competition.

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On June 2, the Vikings officially announced Nolan Teasley as their new general manager, replacing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four years in the role.

There were two over-riding reasons as to why Adofo-Mensah lost the role in January – just eight months after signing a multi-year extension.

The first being his decision to allow Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones to walk and flourish as starting QBs in Seattle and Indianapolis.

The second being the decision to select J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in 2024, for it has been a turbulent start to his NFL career having missed his entire rookie season through injury.

He would go on to underperform in 10 starts in 2025, and is now involved in a quarterback battle with Kyler Murray, the former first overall pick of the Arizona Cardinals who has arrived seeking a fresh challenge.

The new general manager wasted no time addressing the competition, which is arguably the biggest question the franchise faces this offseason.

“Really competitive QB room,” Teasley said in his introductory press conference.

“Kyler Murray, number one draft pick. JJ [McCarthy] was picked high, Carson [Wentz] was picked high.

“Even Max [Brosmer] has starting experience now. It’s going to be fun to watch that mature.

“In terms of managing, we’re gonna rely on the coaching staff. I think the goal was to build a deep and competitive quarterback room, and I think that was executed.”

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Teasley was not involved of the team’s quarterback decisions this offseason, which included adding Murray following his release from the Arizona Cardinals.

Murray went to the playoffs one time in Arizona and struggled to find any consistency in Arizona despite his high ceiling.

NFL Insider believes McCarthy may be demoted to No.3 during the season

Entering 2025 OTA’s, McCarthy was the undisputed starter, and now faces a huge battle, it proves just how quickly things can change in the NFL world.

The 24-year-old was recently described as ‘salty’ at Vikings practice, which certainly doesn’t appear to be a good look.

The consensus at the moment is that Murray will win out, but Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated gave a worrying season outlook for McCarthy and the franchise.

“All three Vikings quarterbacks — Wentz, McCarthy and Kyler Murray — will play at some point this season,” Orr wrote.

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“Murray will get the lion’s share of snaps while Wentz steps in during a critical two-game late-season stretch to keep Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive.”

Orr has said that not only will McCarthy lose out on the starting role, but he will be demoted to No.3 on the depth chart.

McCarthy’s former QB coach has pleaded with Minnesota not to give up on him, but, that ship may have already sailed.

The former Michigan signalcaller is highly likely to see the field in preseason, with the Vikings going up against the Giants, Ravens and Broncos before their season opener against the Packers on September 13.

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