MN Vikings Trying to Maintain Integrity of QB Competition
The Minnesota Vikings are getting ready for the start of mandatory minicamp this week, from June 9-11. While most players have been present at offseason team activities, to this point, Tuesday will be the first gathering at TCO Performance Center that is NOT voluntary.
It’s the next phase of the offseason, and the next step in a series of Vikings position battles that will rage on into the summer, and some even into the fall. Of course, there’s only one position battle anyone cares about right now, and it’s at quarterback.
However, those paying attention expect the QB competition between JJ McCarthy and Kyler Murray to find a conclusion sooner than others will. In fact, NFL insider like Tom Pelissero predicted Thursday that it’ll be over by the time the calendar flips from spring to summer, on June 21.
There’s no need to beat a dead horse. All reports out of Eagan point to Kyler Murray as the Minnesota Vikings best quarterback and nobody who’s had the luxury of watching the two at practice really thinks it’s close.
Vikings claim Kyler Murray vs JJ McCarthy QB battle is still alive and well
But that doesn’t mean the Minnesota Vikings aren’t at least trying to keep the integrity of their “QB competition” alive.
Saturday, for example, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler did a hit on SportsCenter where he reported that head coach Kevin O’Connell is still dispersing starting QB reps 50/50 at practice and, despite what others may think, they are in no hurry to crown their starting quarterback.
The Vikings are doing everything in their power to keep the integrity of their starting QB competition alive.
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) June 7, 2026
Here is @JFowlerESPN on SportsCenter yesterday reporting that KOC is in no apparent hurry to crown a QB1, despite their being questions around the league over the… pic.twitter.com/ei9qJoSBeX
“So I’m told, between Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy, the Vikings are comfortable letting this play out a little bit longer. They’re not pressed to name somebody the first team guy or give a guy first team reps. They are splitting it evenly still.
They’re committed to a true competition, even though the belief in a lot of league circles is that Murray will eventually win this job. However, a Vikings source told me McCarthy has learned to throw the ball better. He’s layering it. Not everything is a fastball anymore, so throwing the ball with more pace.”
Jeremy Fowler – SportsCenter
Revealed: Why JJ McCarthy Left Vikings Practice in Haste
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that McCarthy looks like he has been working on his layering this offseason. But again, those watching Vikings practices can’t help but notice how Murray’s layering capabilities are still on a completely different level, as is his consistency (both on and off the field).
What to expect during Minnesota Vikings minicamp
Players won’t be suiting up in full-pads or running at anything near full-practice speed. That will wait until training camp. In other words, we’ll see lots of MN Vikings highlights this week (June 9-11) with guys in helmets and shorts.
At this point, it’s not all that important for O’Connell to name his starting quarterback. When the Vikings conclude their final minicamp practice, the league will break for over a month, before teams gather again for the start of training camp.
If the QB competition between McCarthy and Murray is that lopsided, however, then it might make sense for the Minnesota Vikings to award the latter his new starting quarterback now. That way, players know the QB hierarchy immediately when they arrive back at TCO Performance Center in July.
Related: KOC Addresses JJ McCarthy’s Comments on Vikings QB Room
Unless… they plan to try and trade JJ McCarthy sometime before then. If that’s the case, continuing the quarterback battle narrative would make sense, just from a negotiating perspective with other teams.
A lot of this has to do with McCarthy’s current mental state too. Does he know he is losing this battle, and if so, does he demand out before the start of training camp? Only time will tell.
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