One of the most intriguing training camp battles in the NFL is unfolding in the Twin Cities between Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
Many believe the job is already Murray's, but this is all just a formality. McCarthy's 2025 performance was enough for many to jump ship and watch him sink his career.
Training camp is supposed to be the opportunity for McCarthy to prove everyone wrong and outperform Murray. There might already be some assumptions about McCarthy that could make winning the job nearly impossible.
Evidence has been given for Kyler Murray-J.J. McCarthy Minnesota Vikings QB battle winner
Bleacher Report's scouting department recently ranked the top 55 quarterbacks in the NFL, with each getting a grade. Murray was the top-ranked Vikings QB, ranking 23rd and under the "reliable contributor" category. He was given a grade of 71.
"The former first overall pick's career has been known for early-season flashes but a lack of stability through a full campaign.
Murray played in five games in 2025 and finished with his third-highest career completion percentage.
He has a good arm and has shown the ability to layer passes in the middle of the field. If protection breaks down, he can make plays with his mobility/athleticism.
Murray's accuracy, decision-making and health are inconsistent. This issue limits his impact as a pocket passer, ultimately holding back the offense at times."
Many are wondering where McCarthy fell on the same list. Well, it was pretty bad. He was ranked 46th with a grade of 59 and fell in the "backup, development" category, the lowest one.
"The Vikings' former first-round pick had a rocky 2025. J.J. McCarthy played 10 games last season in his first real NFL starting experience.
He threw for more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). McCarthy had moments during the season where his arm talent was on display, and he made the right decisions at the line of scrimmage.
He is inexperienced as a true dropback passer and requires more reps to further his development."
How bad was that fall for McCarthy? There's one Vikings quarterback ranked higher than him: Carson Wentz. Bleacher Report ranked Wentz 39th with a grade of 64, falling under the "replacement level" category.
At the same time, McCarthy was not the only Vikings QB in the "backup, development" category. Max Brosmer joined him, ranking 55th with a grade of 51.
This is about as telling a list as it gets. It's clear from the outside that no one thinks that McCarthy is even in the same league as Murray or Wentz.
Granted, the start of the 2025 season did not go well for McCarthy, as he completed 55.7% of his passes for 929 yards and six touchdowns to 10 interceptions in six games. He got much better with his last four games of the year, completing 64.3% of his passes for 703 yards and five touchdowns to two interceptions.
To say that McCarthy is just as bad as Brosmer is a low blow, and he deserves more respect than that. Being worse than Murray? Most Vikings fans would agree with that.
It's clear to everyone that Murray should be and will be the starting quarterback of the Vikings in 2026. Now it's just a matter of waiting for everything to be played out.
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