The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray the winner of their QB1 battle over J.J. McCarthy heading into their Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the news on Thursday, noting that Murray will now become the Vikings' fourth different Week 1 starting quarterback over the last four consecutive years: Kirk Cousins (2023), Sam Darnold (2024), McCarthy (2025), and now, Murray in 2026.
QB1 Kyler Murray will be an upgrade over J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota
Arizona Cardinals fans who have seen Murray at his highs and lows over the past seven seasons know that he was the superior option over McCarthy for Minnesota this season. While Murray came with struggles of his own, you could also make the case that both parties were at fault for that era never working out because the Cardinals didn't do a great job of putting their former No. 1 draft investment in a position to succeed.
He now officially takes over one of the best situations a quarterback can ask for: arguably the most underrated coach in the league in Kevin O'Connell with Justin Jefferson and other playmaking weapons at his disposal.
Jefferson was essentially viewed quarterback-proof until McCarthy proved otherwise in what was a relatively down year for the Vikings offense overall. Murray doesn't have to be perfect to make this situation work in Minnesota.
Cardinals fans know that Vikings fans will inevitably have to endure a few questionable decisions and frustrating interceptions during the Murray era. They also know that, in this case, it's worth the rollercoaster, as the talent clearly won out in the Vikings' quarterback battle.
Murray was limited to just five games last season with the Cardinals due to a right foot injury. He should benefit from a change of scenery in Minnesota with a potential bounce-back season on the horizon at age 29.
Cardinals were right to move on from Kyler Murray either way
Even if that is the case, the Cardinals shouldn't regret waiving their former starting signal-caller, as it was ultimately in everyone involved's best interest to move on from the Kyler Murray era in Arizona.
It didn't seem that way earlier in the offseason when Jacoby Brissett held out. It may not even seem that way throughout the season, to be honest. This team is just projected to win 3.5 games in Vegas, after all.
But by waiving Murray, the Cardinals gave themselves a higher potential ceiling on that path to finding a true long-term answer. Despite the reworked $15.5 million deal, that's not Brissett. It's likely not Carson Beck either, though he's shown the Cardinals enough to at least go down that path to see what they have.
Murray would've been a clear short-term upgrade over either, as he will be in Minnesota over McCarthy. But for the Vikings, that difference could've meant reaching the postseason instead of falling short at 9-8 last year. For the Cardinals, keeping Murray around means they likely steal a few more games, potentially being the very thing to get them out of the Arch Manning draft sweepstakes in 2027.
Cardinals fans know Murray is an upgrade over McCarthy, perhaps even more so than Vikings fans or those around the league currently even realize. Still, this outcome, especially now that Murray is starting elsewhere, turned out to be in everyone's best interest.
The Vikings will reap the rewards this season with playoff contention, in part due to a resurgence in pass-catchers like Jefferson and Jordan Addison, catalyzed by Murray's underrated arrival. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will see the benefits further down the road, whether that's the chance to further evaluate Beck or draft Murray's long-term replacement next summer.
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