JJ McCarthy considered 'unpredictable' as Vikings hand starting QB role to Kyler Murray: report

It may not have come as a surprise to people that Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell quickly named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback of his offense over J.J.

McCarthy, the team’s 2024 first-round selection.

But a recent report indicates that it’s more than just what happened on the training camp practice field between Murray and McCarthy that may have factored into such a quick decision.

It was last summer when some within the Vikings organization were concerned that McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury and struggled with consistency in 2025, was "unpredictable," according to CBS Sports .

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM In fact, some believed that Max Brosmer, who was an undrafted free agent added to the quarterbacks room, should’ve been the one under center for Minnesota in Week 1.

That wasn’t the case, but the Vikings made it quite known after watching McCarthy complete 57.6% of his passes and throw 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions across 10 games – Minnesota went 6-4 over that span – they were in the quarterback market this offseason.

KYLER MURRAY AND JJ MCCARTHY GIVE WILDLY DIFFERENT ANSWERS ABOUT THEIR VIKINGS QB ROOM DYNAMIC "A franchise quarterback is supposed to be the stability piece of a franchise, like you know what you’re getting every day.

But with J.J., you weren’t sure which version you were going to get," the source said to the outlet.

"I think he’s just still so young and may not have understood yet what that position fully entails and things like the consistency and day-to-day commitment." The Vikings landed Murray, the former No.

1 overall pick of the Arizona Cardinals, who moved on from him after a roller-coaster tenure in the desert.

And before they faced the New York Giants for their first preseason bout of the 2026 NFL season, the Vikings came right out and named Murray their starter.

So, what exactly does McCarthy’s future hold as he’s in Year 3 and serving as a backup now? One defensive coach told CBS Sports that "he is talented," though he needs to "learn how to manage a game and not do too much and not do more than what’s required of him." If that happens, perhaps the Vikings, or a different team, can trust him in a starting role.

But that’s the thing: is it too soon to discuss McCarthy playing for a different team already? The Vikings do have a new GM, Nolan Teasley, who is not tied to McCarthy’s selection.

That was Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, whom the Vikings fired this past offseason.