The Minnesota Vikings will begin their 2026 campaign with Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback. Last year, JJ McCarthy began the season as QB1. But as the former top-10 draft pick continues to deal with an ankle injury, he could start this coming season as the Vikings' third QB option.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter thinks veteran signal caller Carson Wentz will be Minnesota's secondary option when they kickoff against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Schefter thinks McCarthy's sprained ankle is a "multi-week" issue — contradicting earlier reports that identified the issue as "minor" and "day-to-day." McCarthy was unable to take the field for the Vikings' preseason finale against the Denver Broncos this past Friday. "We hoped to get him turned over," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said of McCarthy after the Vikings' preseason loss to the Broncos.
"The goal was to have him start the game tonight and try to get him a half if we could. ... We just couldn't get him there." Through 10 starts for the Vikings last season, McCarthy completed 57.6% of his pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Following this shaky season, Minnesota signed Murray on a one-year, veteran minimum contract following his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
The Vikings will kickoff against the Packers to begin their season on Sept. 13.
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