Kyler Murray, JJ McCarthy give conflicting answers about the Vikings’ QB room

They were asked the same question, but Minnesota Vikings new quarterback teammates Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy had two completely different answers.

McCarthy’s first full season with the Vikings — the 2025 first-round pick missed his first year with a knee injury — was a rollercoaster despite a 6-4 record. He threw for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and a 57.6% completion rate across his 10 games under center.

Because of this, the Vikings made a move to add a veteran this offseason, signing Murray, the former Arizona Cardinals’ No. 1 pick, who was released after his up-and-coming career in the desert.

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Murray’s arrival, however, points to one thing: who will be head coach Kevin O’Connell’s starting quarterback in Week 1? Many are pointing to Murray, who will be entering his eighth NFL season, ahead of McCarthy, who may need more development before taking over again.

During training this week, Murray and McCarthy were both asked about their relationship, and the former gave the answer a veteran would expect from a player on a new team.

“It’s been great,” Murray said of working with McCarthy. “Obviously, I know he’s a young guy, so any way I can help him. I’ve been playing for seven years now, going on eight. So, I’m considered a veteran even though I don’t see myself that way. Give him whatever information he needs. Again, we’re both competitors, and I know we both want what’s best for the team.”

Murray was also asked how McCarthy would handle criticism or coaching a veteran like him.

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“Sure. He’s super accommodating. He’s always in touch, asking questions. Things like that. So, it was great,” he said.

All seemed well in the land of the Vikings until McCarthy gave an interesting answer to the same line of questioning when he was found.

“It’s like two guys in a class,” he said of working with Murray. “He sits on one side, I sit on the other side, and it’s the coach’s job to teach us and train us.”

Of course, reporters followed the Michigan product, and one asked if there was any tension between them.

Minnesota Vikings’ Kyler Murray takes part in a drill during an OTA workout at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, Minn., on May 27, 2026. (David Berding/Getty Images)

“Not behaving well? It’s like the same feeling when you’re in high school, and there’s someone else across the room. It’s just like that, so I wouldn’t say there’s anything wrong,” answered Makhathini.

Now, there’s no doubt that the two will face exactly the same task this summer in training camp. But, as Murray said, the mindset should be what’s best for the team.

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It may be too early to gauge McCarthy’s strange response, but at the same time, thoughts of the opposing locker room in Minnesota will no doubt enter the minds of football fans ahead of the Vikings’ preseason.

The Vikings missed the playoffs last season, finishing 9-8 in O’Connell’s fourth year as head coach. This happened after a year in which they went 14-3 with Sam Darnold under center, and McCarthy recovered from injury.

Minnesota Vikings’ Kyler Murray takes part in a drill during an OTA workout at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan, Minn., on May 27, 2026. (David Berding/Getty Images)

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Darnold was not re-signed by the Vikings, as Carson Wentz provided a backup to McCarthy at the position when rosters were built in the 2025 offseason.

Instead, Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and eventually helped them win Super Bowl LX over the New England Patriots back in February.

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