Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Minnesota Vikings pounced on Kyler Murray’s free company in March, and two months later, the NFL world believes he’ll participate within the league’s hottest quarterback competitors this summer time — a duel with J.J. McCarthy.
Minnesota’s QB room might turn out to be the league’s loudest coaching camp storyline.
That’s the phrase from SI.com this week, claiming Murray v. McCarthy might be must-see tv.
Murray and McCarthy Set Up a Fascinating Summer time Showdown
Who will take residence the QB1 prize?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy scrambles with the soccer throughout first-half motion in opposition to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Subject. On Sep. 8, 2025, McCarthy continued displaying athleticism and pocket mobility for Minnesota’s offense whereas working because the franchise’s younger beginning quarterback in an essential NFC North divisional matchup on the highway. Necessary Credit score: Matt Marton-Imagn Photographs.
SI.com: There’s No Larger Roster Battle than Vikings QB1
Eva Geitheim stepped as much as the plate this week, sizing up the highest questions for the NFL after the draft, and the Vikings’ quarterback state of affairs made the minimize.
She defined, “Who will start for the Vikings come Week 1? There will be several quarterback competitions across the league this offseason, but none will be bigger than that between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings could be a playoff contender with competent quarterback play, a key reason they brought Murray to Minnesota.”
“The competition could certainly go in Murray’s favor, as both coach Kevin O’Connell and receiver Justin Jefferson have spoken highly of the veteran quarterback while emphasizing the work McCarthy still has ahead of him.”
Geitheim additionally talked about Aaron Rodgers’s will-I-or-won’t-I-play schtick, the Dianna Russini + Mike Vrabel fallout, and trades across the league, amongst different subjects.
Overstating McCarthy’s Probabilities?
Certainly, McCarthy held the Vikings’ QB1 job in 2025, his second official season within the execs after a torn meniscus ravaged his rookie marketing campaign. In that regard, he ought to have a stable likelihood to proceed because the beginning quarterback.
However that’s on paper.
McCarthy has mind-bogglingly turn out to be injury-prone, battling a torn meniscus, a excessive ankle sprain, a concussion, and a damaged hand whereas beginning simply 10 video games in two years. The person has been obtainable for the Vikings 29% of the time since Minnesota used a 1st-Spherical draft choose on him.
Then, when wholesome, McCarthy has struggled, rating close to the underside of the NFL per quarterback effectivity and throwing extra interceptions than touchdowns in 2025. McCarthy is actually an possibility for the QB1 job, however Murray ought to be categorised because the heavy frontrunner.
Murray with a Chip on His Shoulder
Murray will assuredly wish to show naysayers incorrect in 2025, together with the Arizona Cardinals, a franchise that left him for lifeless this offseason. For popularity’s sake, the Cardinals have one of many worst possession teams in sports activities, and so they didn’t need Murray. They minimize him. The Cardinals would somewhat have Jacoby Brissett and Carson Beck than Murray.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray stands close to the bench in the course of the second half of a highway matchup in opposition to the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Throughout the Sep. 10, 2023, contest in Landover, Murray remained sidelined whereas recovering from harm, persevering with his rehabilitation course of earlier than ultimately returning to Arizona’s beginning lineup later that season. Necessary Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photographs.
So, you higher imagine Murray may have a chip on his shoulder, touchdown in a spot with the Vikings the place he’ll play alongside a High 3 NFL protection, weapons like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, a quarterback-whispering head coach, and a staff that completed 2025 with a profitable document.
Briefly, Murray might be ultra-motivated this summer time, autumn, and winter, and that received’t bode effectively for McCarthy’s possibilities to attain the upset.
Different QB Competitors across the Enterprise?
The NFL will function two true quarterback competitions later this summer time, along with Murray-McCarthy.
First, the Cleveland Browns may have a “let the best man win” slugfest between Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Taylen Inexperienced. Most anticipate the Browns to present Watson one final look earlier than making an attempt one thing new.
The opposite battle is in Atlanta. Michael Penix Jr., the incumbent, will tackle Tua Tagovailoa, with Kevin Stefanski as the brand new head coach and referee. Tagovailoa has markedly extra expertise and a historical past of upper-echelon manufacturing. Penix Jr. has youth on his aspect and comparatively latest draft inventory in 2024.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. runs onto the sphere earlier than a regular-season matchup in opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. On Sep. 7, 2025, Penix ready for an additional NFC South showdown whereas persevering with his transition into Atlanta’s beginning quarterback function coming into a pivotal season for the franchise’s offense and future course. Necessary Credit score: Brett Davis-Imagn Photographs.
FalconsWire‘s Tim Weaver on the Falcons’ quarterback battle: “Michael Penix Jr. is the safe bet to win the job, if nothing else because the Falcons have invested so much more in him (a top-10 overall pick) compared to Tua Tagovailoa (one-year, $1.2 million). However, Tagovailoa has demonstrated a higher ceiling in the NFL and will likely be healthier come Week 1.”
“The answer to this question is probably a two-pronged approach. At the start of the regular season our best guess is that it will be Tagovailoa under center. However, once Penix is fully healthy Tua is going to have to impress on the field in a big way in order to hold him off. Right now it looks more than likely we will see both Penix and Tagovailoa end up starting 5+ games at some point during the regular season. This battle may not be fully settled until January — or even beyond that.”
If one stretches the standards of what could possibly be a summer time quarterback competitors, these golf equipment might partake:
— New York Jets: Geno Smith v. Cade Klubnik— Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins v. Fernando Mendoza— Pittsburgh Steelers: No matter Occurs if Aaron Rodgers Doesn’t Signal
NFL coaching camps are about 12 weeks away.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
