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Vikings Keep QB Race Open, Murray Favored Over McCarthy

7/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the 2026 quarterback competition stays open between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy’s ten 2025 starts yielded a 58 % completion rate, more interceptions than touchdowns and the league’s second-highest bad-throw rate, prompting O'Connell to say Murray will likely win unless he implodes in camp.
The Vikings retain Carson Wentz under a general manager who did not draft McCarthy, the 10th-overall pick in 2024.

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Story summary

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said the 2026 quarterback competition stays open between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy’s ten 2025 starts yielded a 58 % completion rate, more interceptions than touchdowns and the league’s second-highest bad-throw rate, prompting O'Connell to say Murray will likely win unless he implodes in camp.
The Vikings retain Carson Wentz under a general manager who did not draft McCarthy, the 10th-overall pick in 2024.