Minnesota has its answer under center. Head coach Kevin O’Connell named Kyler Murray the Vikings’ starting quarterback for the 2026 season over J.J. McCarthy, who settles in as the No. 2. Murray signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract on March 12 after being released by the Arizona Cardinals, and the decision came after a rocky stretch of practices in an open competition many outside observers already saw as tilting his way. Reporting indicates some inside the organization viewed McCarthy as inconsistent. For DFS purposes, Murray’s rushing floor is the whole ballgame — he is one of the few quarterbacks who can salvage a slate with his legs on a poor passing night, and pairing that with a Kevin O’Connell passing scheme makes him a live target as lineups take shape. (source: ESPN, FOX News, Sports Illustrated, Yardbarker)
Vikings Name Kyler Murray Starting Quarterback Over J.J. McCarthy
Minnesota has its answer under center. Head coach Kevin O'Connell named Kyler Murray the Vikings' starting quarterback for the 2026 season over J.J. McCarthy, who settles in as the No. 2. Murray signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract on March 12 after being released by the Arizona Cardinals, and the decision came after a rocky stretch of practices in an open competition many outside observers already saw as tilting his way. Reporting indicates some inside the organization viewed McCarthy as inconsistent. For DFS purposes, Murray's rushing floor is the whole ballgame — he is one of the few quarterbacks who can salvage a slate with his legs on a poor passing night, and pairing that with a Kevin O'Connell passing scheme makes him a live target as lineups take shape. (source: ESPN, FOX News, Sports Illustrated, Yardbarker)