American Football

Vikings name Kyler Murray starting quarterback, per reports

DAZN

11, Aug

Vikings name Kyler Murray starting quarterback, per reports

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Kyler Murray has won the battle to become the Vikings' starting quarterback, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old had been involved in a competition with 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy since signing a one-year deal to join Minnesota in March.

The decision provides Murray with a chance to revitalise a once-promising career, and leaves McCarthy with a long way back to relevance.

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Did Murray ever really have competition?

It's a move that always felt somewhat inevitable, considering how much McCarthy has struggled when given the starting job.

A torn meniscus wiped out his whole rookie year, and he failed to impress with 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and a 57.6% completion rate in 10 starts last year.

A benching followed; the Vikings made it clear they wanted to bring in competition, and when the opportunity to sign Murray came up, the writing seemed to be on the wall for the 23-year-old.

Murray made a fast start to training camp, connecting with wideout Jordan Addison with his very first throw.

And even when he endured some uneven practices in recent days, Murray still seemed destined to be named the starter after receiving praise from head coach Kevin O'Connell.

"I think mentally he's definitely probably ahead of where I thought," he told ESPN's Kevin Seifert on Sunday.

Can Murray make the most of his fresh start?

Murray won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and made two Pro Bowls since, before injuries derailed his career in Arizona.

In seven seasons and 87 games, he amassed 20,460 yards and 121 touchdowns through the air, and added 3,193 and 32 touchdowns on the ground.

The Cardinals released him in March, despite being on the hook for $35.5 million, meaning the Vikings could pick him up for just $1.3 million.

Often regarded as more dangerous with his legs than his arm, Murray has the perfect opportunity to turn this audition into a career revival.

"I'm happy to be here," he told reporters after an OTA session in May. "I'm looking around; it's kind of an embarrassment of riches around here.

"Obviously, you've got the best receiver in the league [in Justin Jefferson] and then J.A. [Jordan Addison] and the guys, Jauan [Jennings], all the young guys who have the talent and ability that are hungry to go prove it."

The feeling, it seems, is mutual.

Regular season opens 13 September against the Green Bay Packers, and Murray now gets a full month with the first team offense to prepare.