Vikings start training camp, Murray-McCarthy QB battle

The Minnesota Vikings opened their 2026 training camp on Wednesday, July 29, with a high-stakes quarterback competition between veteran Kyler Murray and third-year player J.J. McCarthy taking center stage. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has committed to an open battle, with both players receiving work with the first-team offense as the team prepares for its season opener on September 13.

On the first day of camp at the TCO Performance Center, Murray took the initial reps with the starters during 11-on-11 drills, but O’Connell emphasized the repetitions would be split evenly in the early stages. The coach outlined a flexible plan, noting the division of labor would adjust based on practice periods and that the ultimate goal is to evaluate performance in realistic football situations. Both quarterbacks publicly adopted a day-to-day mindset, downplaying the long-term implications of the contest. Murray stated he is focused on proving his capabilities each day, while McCarthy said his approach is about refining every detail and controlling what he can control.

The competition pits two players with contrasting career arcs. Murray, the first overall pick in 2019, was signed to a one-year...