Many NFL analysts think that when the Minnesota Vikings signed Kyler Murray, there would be an open QB competition between Murray and current Vikings starter J.J. McCarthy.
But some think the quarterback competition ended when Murray was signed, and the real competition may be for the backup position behind him.
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At least that’s what ESPN’s Bill Barnwell thinks.
“J.J. McCarthy, with this signing of Carson Wentz, is competing for the backup job,” he said. I don’t know if J.J. McCarthy is even the right option to be the number 2 guy.”
That may have been confirmed when the Vikings re-signed Carson Wentz, who was McCarthy’s backup last year.
The Vikings indicated that there will be an open quarterback competition between Murray and McCarthy regardless of what others say, but the consensus is that Murray will be the starter.
McCarthy, as many recall, was the Vikings’ first-round draft pick in 2024 but injured himself during fall camp, ending his season.
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The Vikings would then start backup Sam Darnold, who led the team to one of the NFL’s best records and a playoff berth that season.
Rather than re-signing Darnold, the Vikings decided to go with McCarthy, who struggled as the Vikings’ starter last year, which is why they went into free agency and signed Murray.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: ESPN NFL analysts says J.J. McCarthy is no longer the Vikings starter