The pressure could be on for Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
When McCarthy, who started at signal caller for Minnesota last weekend after dealing with injury issues, was asked recently about his relationship with incoming veteran and former Cardinals starter Kyler Murray, he described a dynamic similar to that of classmates who are both learning from their instructors. But it appears Murray might be learning things quicker than anyone would have imagined.
On Friday’s edition of NFL Live, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported what he’s been hearing about Murray out of the franchise’s offseason workouts, and apparently, things are off to a great start.
“I talked to sources in the building who said Kyler Murray has handled himself like an alpha quarterback,” Fowler said. “He’s walked in with the experience and the swagger you would expect from a guy who’s been to Pro Bowls and had success. He’s also taken the offense very quickly; he’s absorbed it in a hurry, so the expectation league-wide is that he will have the leg up.”
Kyler Murray has reportedly picked up the offense quickly, absorbed the playbook “in a hurry,” and is handling himself “like an alpha QB,” per @JFowlerESPNpic.twitter.com/lfXz7Uzqfi
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) May 29, 2026
So, is it possible Murray could end up as the starter in Minnesota? It’s beginning to sound more and more like it each day. McCarthy was inconsistent when he was healthy enough to take starting snaps last year, and missed his rookie season due to injury. And while Murray is coming off an injury of his own, he is still a seven-year veteran and two-time Pro Bowler who has spent his entire career as a starter.
But don’t think things are completely locked up in Murray’s favor yet, either. While Fowler reports Murray is ahead in the battle, he also noted that the Vikings are impressed with a lot of what McCarthy is doing.
“However, J.J. McCarthy, I’m told that he’s made improvements that the Vikings coaches have noted and have told him so, things like layering the ball a little better, using all the clubs in your bag, not throwing a fastball all the time,” Fowler said. “He’s shown some things this spring that have been impressive so far.”
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Could Kyler Murray be next in line as the Vikings starting QB?