If we believe any of the recent reports that the Minnesota Vikings are going to have a legit competition for the starting quarterback job this summer between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy, the battle between the two just became a little more intriguing.
On Monday, the Vikings announced that they will be hosting two joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens during training camp this summer at Minnesota's TCO Performance Center.
Earlier this year, the Ravens hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to be the franchise's new head coach. Minter, of course, was also Michigan's defensive coordinator in 2023 when the school won the national championship with McCarthy as its starting quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to face former Michigan coach in joint practices with Baltimore Ravens this summer
If McCarthy is going to have any shot at opening up the 2026 season as Minnesota's starting quarterback, one can assume the joint practices against Baltimore will have a large impact on his chances.
In joint practices, each team typically has its first-string offense face off against the other team's first-string defense. So, if McCarthy is still getting first-team reps by the time these practices with the Ravens happen, he'll get to go up against a defense running a scheme that he's likely very familiar with.
At the same time, Minter should be very familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the former Michigan quarterback. So these practices have the potential to go very poorly for McCarthy as well.
Baltimore's defense struggled a bit last season, as they ranked 20th in the NFL in points allowed per opposing offensive drive. However, the Ravens' defense is still loaded with talent with guys like safety Kyle Hamilton, Trey Hendrickson, Roquan Smith, and Marlon Humphrey, and they should be improved with Minter leading the way now.
If McCarthy can find a way to get the best of his former Michigan coach this summer, then that could significantly improve his shot at besting Murray for the Vikings' QB1 job. But if McCarthy struggles in these joint practices, then Minnesota's No. 1 quarterback decision probably won't be too difficult to make.
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