‘Salty’ J.J. McCarthy issues verdict on Kyler Murray relationship as Vikings QB battle kicks off
J.J. McCarthy entered Minnesota Vikings OTA’s in 2025 as the undisputed starter.
However, this time around he finds himself in the midst of a quarterback battle with Kyler Murray.
It’s been a turbulent start to McCarthy’s NFL career, Minnesota’s first round pick in 2024 missed his entire rookie season through injury.
Vikings brass opted not to re-sign Sam Darnold, and give McCarthy the role in a decision that massively backfired.
While Darnold was winning Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks, the Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs entirely, with McCarthy only starting 10 games.
With Murray now in the building, there has been a shift in the 24-year-old’s attitude, according to Judd Zulgad.
“My takeaway is this: McCarthy, pretty salty. I don’t blame him, I’m not surprised. In fact, I think the Vikings are hoping that pushes him harder,” Zulgad posted on X, following McCarthy’s press conference.
“Definitely a different attitude, different mentality, a different personality from J.J. McCarthy than a year ago.
“But as I said, I think the Vikings are hoping this situation pushes him.
“And right now, I think it’s pushed him to a point being a not very happy camper. But we’ll see where it goes from here.”
Zugland’s comments came after McCarthy had spoken about his relationship with Murray thus far.
“It’s just like two guys in a classroom,” McCarthy said via ESPN.
“He sits on one side, I sit on the other side, and it’s the coach’s responsibility to teach us and coach us.
“Awkwardness? It’s just like the same feeling when you’re in high school and there’s another person on the other side of the room.
“That’s just kind of how it is. I wouldn’t say there’s any awkwardness.”
Murray is hoping that Kevin O’Connell can sprinkle some of the magic that he did with Darnold and Daniel Jones.
McCarthy’s former QB coach has urged the head coach not to give up on him, and O’Connell has given no indication as to who is in the lead.
Deep down, McCarthy must have known the Vikings couldn’t just hand him the keys again after a 2025 season riddled with injury and poor play.
It’s going to be quite the interesting storyline to watch in the Twin Cities before the Vikings’ 2026 season even kicks off.
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