Vikings Name Kyler Murray Starting Quarterback Over J.J. McCarthy Ahead of Home Opener vs. Packers
Six months after Arizona released him, Kyler Murray has won a genuine quarterback competition in Minnesota — and gets to open the season starting at home against a division rival.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell named Kyler Murray the Vikings' starting quarterback for 2026, resolving a real competition against J.J. McCarthy that ran through the spring and all of training camp. Murray signed a one-year deal with Minnesota in March, days after Arizona released him following seven seasons and 87 starts as the Cardinals' No. 1 overall pick.
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Murray, 29, started just 5 games in an injury-shortened 2025, completing 110 of 161 passes for 962 yards and 6 touchdowns. McCarthy, 23, moves into the backup role behind him on a roster that's kept four quarterbacks — Murray, McCarthy, veteran Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer, who cleared waivers and returned to the practice squad. Minnesota also gets real injury clarity at safety: 15th-year veteran Harrison Smith is expected to play in some capacity in the opener after signing a one-year deal to return. It all lines up for a genuine milestone — the Vikings' first Week 1 home opener since 2023.
"[He] must prove he can stay healthy and thrive within a new offensive system."— Bill Barnwell, ESPN, naming Kyler Murray among the players under the most pressure in 2026
Not everyone in the building is fully sold either — Murray has faced real criticism this offseason for reportedly not putting in extra work on his own time in a contract year, and some of the loudest doubts online have come from divisional rivals and disgruntled former Cardinals fans calling him an outright bust. Our take: a five-start, injury-shortened 2025 is a thin sample to judge a quarterback competition on, and Minnesota is betting a real season on a player who has to prove health and fit at the same time, against a division rival, in Week 1.
How Murray won the job in Minnesota
Cardinals release Kyler Murray; Vikings sign him to a one-year deal days later.
Murray and J.J. McCarthy compete for the starting job through the offseason and preseason.
Kevin O'Connell names Murray the Week 1 starter over McCarthy.
Vikings host the Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, U.S. Bank Stadium — Minnesota's first Week 1 home opener since 2023.
A new starting quarterback who was let go by another team six months ago, a veteran safety back for one more run, and a home opener against a rival — Minnesota's real season starts now.
Week 1 Prediction: Score, Spread & Player Prop
Vikings -1.5 at home over Green Bay, per DraftKings Week 1 lines — the number has moved from Packers -1.5 at the open.
45.5 total points. We lean the under with the betting market itself showing heavy money on that side.
Kyler Murray Over 24.5 rushing yards (-110 range at most books) in his Vikings debut against a Packers defense missing Micah Parsons.
Odds referenced from DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM lines as of this week; lines move, always confirm current odds before betting.
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Sources: Minnesota Vikings, ESPN, NFL.com