Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen has recently traded the sideline for the studio this offseason, making some appearances on ESPN's "NFL Live" this week. While he's no longer on Minnesota's roster, he just dropped some wisdom about the team's biggest remaining question mark.
The Vikings' offseason addition of Kyler Murray hasn't solidified the quarterback position in the way fans expected. Kevin O'Connell has been adamant that, despite J.J. McCarthy's 2025 struggles, the team is entering training camp with an open QB competition.
Thielen doesn't seem to buy it. On a recent episode of "NFL Live," he said, "Right now, it's Kyler's job to lose."
Adam Thielen gives Kyler Murray the edge in Minnesota Vikings' QB competition
To be blunt, many former NFL players don't warrant much attention for their offseason takes. Of course, they have deep knowledge of the game, but the further removed they are from the league, the more they're forced to lean on opinions rather than true information.
Thielen was on Minnesota's roster less than a year ago. He's played under this staff. He's caught passes from McCarthy.
As NFL insider Adam Schefter recently said on an episode of "Get Up," “When Adam Thielen says that, then you have to assume that it is Kyler Murray’s job to lose.”
Based on McCarthy's play last season, handing the reins over to Murray seems like the default option. The second-year quarterback finished among the league's worst in touchdown-to-interception ratio, turnover-worthy play rate, and completion percentage.
The offense that stayed afloat with passers like Joshua Dobbs and pre-breakout Sam Darnold struggled to get off the ground with McCarthy under center.
Minnesota's 6-4 record with McCarthy starting is more of a testament to the rest of the team than it is to the young quarterback's ability. He had some strong moments, but the overall product wasn't sustainable.
Murray has shown peaks that put McCarthy's 2025 performance to shame. There are still some questions about how the mobile, undersized quarterback fits into O'Connell's offense, but it's clear that he's the more talented of the two players.
Thielen may not have any inside information on the quarterback competition. Still, his take should hold weight for Vikings fans. This competition should be Murray's to lose.
We'll find out more about the true standing of the QB battle when training camp practices get fully underway, and the split in first-team reps comes to light. For now, Thielen's take is enough to lean on.
Add us as a preferred source on Google