Kyler Murray Named Starting Quarterback for Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have officially appointed Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback for the upcoming 2026 NFL season, as reported by ESPN on Tuesday afternoon.
Murray, who was the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, signed a one-year contract with the Vikings in March after being released by the Arizona Cardinals. His previous season was cut short due to a foot injury after just five games. In his last full season in 2024, he achieved 3,851 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 93.5, while also rushing for 572 yards and five touchdowns.
J.J. McCarthy, who was drafted by the Vikings in 2024 after leading the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship, was unable to secure the starting role. McCarthy missed his rookie season due to injury and had limited playtime in 2025, finishing with 1,632 passing yards and 11 touchdowns over 10 starts. The Vikings, who had a challenging 2025 season with three different quarterbacks, will begin their 2026 preseason against the New York Giants.
