OTAs are underway with the second one being completed yesterday June 2nd. The next one is Thursday, June 4th. All the buzz now is about the QB “competition”. Almost every article out there is discussing it in some way. Mainly it seems like praise for Murray and a lot of criticism for JJ. It seems to be over the top IMHO. I do not expect it to let up either. I will say that I do not feel bad for him though. The young man is getting 21M gtd for the first four years of his career. All of this nonsense
now comes with those very nice paychecks. He will get through it just fine.
The Vikings have actually put themselves into a very good place with the QB position. If JJ wins the job and is playing well half way through the season, the team could trade Murray if there is another team that really needs a QB which happens more often than not. What could they get in return? A 3rd round pick? Some will laugh at that but the team acquiring Murray would only have to pay him 650K for 9 games of work and if he signs elsewhere in 2027, they could be in line for a 3rd round compensatory pick. I would say the worst case would be a 4th.
If Murray is starting then the Vikings will groom JJ more. He will be able to try to tear up the first string defense in practices like Mahomes did his first year. After the team saw that, they decided it was time and moved on from Alex Smith. JJ’s journey would be far from over. The new GM might decide to move JJ if the right offer came along. Conversely, they could simply keep JJ and see what happens next offseason.
Yes, the team is in a good spot and I think the outcome is going to surprise many no matter who starts at QB. BUt that wont stop the nimrods from pontificating about the Vikings QB situation. It is far from over. To be honest, I am loving every minute of it!
Yore disclaimer about links which sadly is needed. I do not write these and they are what pops up when I google “Vikings news”. I usually post most of the links and unfortunately for some of the more sensitive fans, there are a lot of stories about the QB situation with many different writers not giving flowers to JJ.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings Receive Candid QB Battle Take From Insider Albert Breer
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/candid-qb-battle-kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy/
“The interesting thing about it is that the roster needs to win now,” Breer said about the Vikings QB battle during a June 1 appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show.” “So no one’s on scholarship anymore. His draft status doesn’t matter. Whoever is the best player for us to win right now is who Kevin O’Connell is going to pick.
“That’s going to be Kevin O’Connell’s mindset in picking his quarterback now. So it’s different than it was last year. They’re not worried about the first-round investment in the player anymore. In fact, the GM who drafted J.J. McCarthy 10th overall is now gone, and there’s a new GM coming in.”
Moreover, Breer explained why it’s important for the Vikings to go with the best player in this battle, given the current state of their roster.
“I don’t know that the Vikings quarterback situation lines up with the timeline of the rest of the roster, right? The rest of the roster, and you can go down the list of names, has tons of guys either in the prime or the back end of the prime of their careers, right?
“So, guys like Byron Murphy and Andrew Van Ginkel, and obviously offensively you’ve got Justin Jefferson. Jordan Addison is close to the end of his deal. T.J. Hockenson is now an older player. Christian Darrisaw at left tackle. They’re invested in a ton of guys that are win-now players.”
NFL Insider Hints J.J. McCarthy Wants Out of Minnesota
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/jj-mccarthy-vikings-trade-hint
Vikings Take Strong Position on JJ McCarthy Trade Amid Rumors of QB’s Unrest
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/jj-mccarthy-trade-rumors-kyler-murray-qb-competition/
Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported on Tuesday, January 2 that the Vikings are not even involved in internal discussions about trading McCarthy, let alone talking with competing franchises about moving the No. 10 overall pick just two years into his rookie contract.
“My conversations with people internally have not been about trade. They have not been about those comments,” Lewis said, per the VikingzFanPage X account. “They have been about wanting to maximize the every single day in the field, and making sure that happens. The chips will fall how the chips will fall.”
…
The offseason competition for the top job in the position group has already begun, and Lewis reported via his podcast on Tuesday that McCarthy has looked good early on.
“He’s obviously been very motivated and has every reason to be motivated,” Lewis said. “I think, from a throwing standpoint, he’s definitely looked solid. His mechanics look smooth, and the layering he’s obviously focused on is something that he wants to continue to improve.”
Panthers great Steve Smith Sr. savagely rips Vikings’ QB competition
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/panthers-great-steve-smith-sr-173051990.html
Either way, consider Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. is unimpressed. The franchise’s all-time leading receiver ripped into Minnesota’s options on last Friday’s episode of Get Up on ESPN.
“Justin Jefferson probably needs to read that book that A.J. Brown was using on the sideline. I don’t see a chance,” Smith stated. “Do you know who can beat J.J. McCarthy? Anybody with a heartbeat . . .
“And Kyler Murray, good luck. I hope things improve for him. I hope he stays off the Call of Duty and starts getting to his playbook.”
“You know who can beat J.J. McCarthy? Anybody with a heartbeat!”
Shannon Sharpe Joins the Pile-On against J.J. McCarthy
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/shannon-sharpe-jj-mccarthy
Vikings QB Kyler Murray’s injury history is a major talking point, and the context is very important
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/vikings-qb-kyler-murray-injury-history-cardinals-mahomes-burrow/
The best ability is availability, and the Vikings need that at quarterback badly. Over head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s first four seasons at the helm, the Vikings have had at least three starting quarterbacks in two of them. Being that Murray has a reputation for being hurt, I took a look at his injury history to get to the bottom of it.
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He’s been relatively banged up at times, but three of the injuries that have landed him on the injury report didn’t cost him a game. That’s par for the course in the NFL. Tom Brady was on the New England Patriots’ injury report for the better part of a decade with a shoulder injury.
Everyone gets hurt during the course of the season, it’s inevitable. You’ll get bruises and muscle pulls all the time, and the hope is they won’t cause you to miss games.
…
In the seven seasons that Murray has been in the NFL, he’s had three seasons where he played in every game, and in 2023, he didn’t get injured, but rather still healing from the torn ACL he suffered in 2022.
30 games missed out of 117 is a rate of 25.6%. That’s nowhere near ideal. However, 27 of those 30 games were from just two injuries. It’s also worth noting that Murray could have possibly returned in 2025, but they chose to shut him down instead after his foot injury didn’t progress nearly as much as they wanted it to
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Note: Tyler talks as if Murray is the starter already
Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy gets brutal Carson Wentz prognosis from NFL insider
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-j-j-mccarthy-gets-140505364.html
Sports Illustrated national NFL writer Connor Orr predicts that Carson Wentz will actually make more starts this season than McCarthy.
Wentz is under contract in Minnesota, too, and played some last season before a season-ending injury. He also has more NFL experience than McCarthy.
“All three Vikings quarterbacks—Wentz, McCarthy and Kyler Murray—will play at some point this season,” Orr writes. “Murray will get the lion’s share of snaps while Wentz steps in during a critical two-game late-season stretch to keep Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive.”
Kyler Murray-J.J. McCarthy QB competition feels manufactured as Vikings begin OTAs
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7313773/2026/05/27/kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy-vikings-qb-competition-otas/
So, here’s one: It would not have taken long Wednesday for any casual observer to recognize Murray’s immense talent.
He climbed the pocket and lofted a pass toward undrafted free-agent receiver Dillon Bell. The catch didn’t slow Bell, who raced for extra yards after the catch. Later, Murray connected down the field with former undrafted receiver Dontae Fleming, who rose and snatched a ball over a defender.
Throughout the afternoon, Murray quickly progressed to a couple of checkdowns. He drilled receiver Jeshaun Jones in the chest as he angled his route over the middle.
Murray’s best throw came against one of defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ all-out blitz pictures. Murray sniffed out the pressure and hurled a ball to receiver Jordan Addison down the right sideline. Several players hollered. Murray received some fist bumps. Mostly, the scene gave off the vibe that this is what’s expected.
Vikings Insider Shares Kyler Murray Development Before Minicamp
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/insider-kyler-murray-development-before-minicamp/
“Kyler Murray is also really motivated and it’s not surprising to hear that he’s looked good and that he’s carried himself like a pro,” Lewis said on the June 2 edition of “The Alec Lewis Show.” “I talked to Jordan Addison who said he’s a vet. He knows what he’s doing.”
“For all of the narratives around Kyler Murray, and there are a billion of them, and they are, I think, in many instances, very lazy narratives, because when you talk to the people who really know him and have really been around him, it does not jive with what is often heard in the public,” Lewis added.
“The one thing about Kyler is he has been an accurate thrower of the football. He has thrown for 3,500 yards at the NFL level with the Cardinals, a team that has not had a great infrastructure four different times.
“The fact that he has impressed them behind the scenes with his smarts in terms of absorbing the system, with his accuracy on the field, and with his style with teammates, the Vikings I know have not been surprised at all that it has been as solid and impressive as it has been with Kyler thus far.
Blake Cashman Gets Blunt About Kyler Murray
During the May 18 edition of the “Jim Rome Show,” Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman spoke about what he’s seen from Murray since his arrival in Minnesota.
“Kyler’s been great,” Cashman told Rome. “I would say with where we’re at and have been in the offseason program, obviously the offense and the defense have been pretty separate, but Kyler’s been very engaged with everybody in the building, from what I’ve seen, and in our locker room.”
Vikings’ Return to ‘Triangle of Authority’ Brings Both Upside and Risk
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/vikings-return-triangle-of-authority-brings-both-upside-risk
On Monday, the Vikings officially announced the hire of former Seahawks assistant GM Nolan Teasley as their new general manager, confirming the reports that emerged on Saturday. In the team’s press release/official story, they made it clear that Teasley will be working hand-in-hand with head coach Kevin O’Connell and Brzezinski, who was a candidate for the GM job but will instead return to his previous role as EVP of football operations.
“Putting Nolan together with Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski gives us three strong leaders with complementary skillsets,” said owner and president Mark Wilf.
“We are confident this dynamic structure of Nolan, Kevin and Rob is the best outcome for the Minnesota Vikings,” said owner and chairman Zygi Wilf.
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But even if the upside of this trio is immense, it cannot be ignored that going down this route comes with some degree of risk. The Vikings are banking on Teasley, O’Connell, and Brzezinski working well together and establishing consensus as they make decisions. If there’s any question about who has the final say, the possibility of tension or discord will exist, especially in times of adversity. Indications are that Teasley and O’Connell will both report directly to the Wilfs, who obviously have a long-standing relationship with Brzezinski.
New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley understands the secret that makes the Seahawks great
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7327647/2026/06/03/vikings-gm-nolan-teasley-seahawks/
The more time they spent together, the more Schneider felt comfortable adding to Teasley’s plate. Teasley helped Fitterer dissect free agents and prepare scouting reports on opponents. He met with agents to determine player value. He influenced some of the analytical models, almost translating the scouting staff’s positional priorities into numbers.
Teasley spoke sparingly in staff-wide meetings, but his words often clarified multiple realms of thought. He even attended coaches’ presentations with players, absorbing football expertise at the most detailed level.
Curiosity has defined his NFL career thus far.
“He thinks long and hard about things before he gives an answer,” Jason Rittereiser, a friend since second grade, said. “He’s an intellectual guy.”
Vikings owners reveal why Nolan Teasley stood above the rest
https://thevikingage.com/minnesota-vikings-owners-reveal-why-nolan-teasley-stood-above-rest
Mark Wilf:
“Nolan brings tremendous football acumen and a proven track record of success from the past 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks.
Under the tutelage of General Manager John Schneider, he was a part of nine playoff teams, three Super Bowl appearances and two championships.
He has a strong understanding of talent evaluation at the collegiate and professional levels, significant experience with building a consistently competitive roster through the draft, free agency and trades, and he brings a disciplined, process-driven approach to the job.
Putting Nolan together with [Vikings Head Coach] Kevin O’Connell and [Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Rob Brzezinski gives us three strong leaders with complementary skillsets.”
Zygi Wilf:
“What really impressed us in our discussions with Nolan and with people around the league was his wide range of experience in football operations.
Nolan understands schematics and player traits at a high level, and that knowledge earns him credibility with each coaching staff he’s been around.
As an assistant general manager, he was involved in every aspect of the operation, so he knows what is required to build a championship team and a productive environment.
We are confident this dynamic structure of Nolan, Kevin and Rob is the best outcome for the Minnesota Vikings.”
How Nolan Teasley Can Aim to Replicate Seahawks’ Success in Minnesota
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/how-nolan-teasley-can-aim-replicate-seahawks-success-minnesota?page_source=v_recirc
How can Teasley look to replicate the Seahawks’ blueprint for success in his new role with the Vikings? On a very basic, fundamental level, the thing Seattle has done well — that every team aims to do — is acquire good football players across the board. There’s no secret formula or strategy for doing so. But when you look at the Seahawks’ 2025 roster, a few specific things jump out.
The importance of quarterback play
It’s not exactly groundbreaking analysis to say that quarterback play is the most important thing in football, but Teasley is well aware of that reality. The Seahawks won a Super Bowl and had long-lasting success with Russell Wilson at QB in the 2010s, then weren’t quite good enough from 2022-24 with Geno Smith at the helm, even if Smith played well.
Everything starts in the trenches
A big driver of the Seahawks’ success was that they loaded up their roster in the trenches in recent years. Offensive and defensive line play dictates so much in the NFL, which the Vikings certainly learned in their 2024 first-round playoff loss against the Rams.
Being opportunistic is key
Building a sustainable winning football team like the one the Seahawks have starts with success in the draft. But drafting well isn’t the entire equation. It’s also about supplementing with veteran player acquisition and being opportunistic in finding ways to add talent to the roster.
The Darnold addition is a great example of that. So is the Seahawks’ trade for Williams in the middle of the 2023 season, when they sent a second-round pick and a fifth-rounder to the Giants. And their trade for linebacker Ernest Jones midseason in 2024. Seattle’s success starts with drafting stars like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Devon Witherspoon and Murphy and Kenneth Walker III, but their veteran acquisitions have also played a major role.
These seven teams are most likely to need a QB in the 2027 NFL Draft — and the timing may be perfect
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2027-nfl-draft-quarterback-needy-teams-steelers-browns-jets/
Minnesota Vikings
The group: While J.J. McCarthy has another chance to prove himself as the Vikings’ franchise quarterback, he faces an uphill battle. Not only must he stay healthy — something he has yet to do through two years as a pro — but he also has to beat Kyler Murray in this offseason’s position battle.
Murray arrived on a minimum contract and is a real bounce-back candidate now that he finds himself in a better situation than in Arizona.
The floor and ceiling: Even in a year when McCarthy sustained injury after injury, stretching the quarterback room as thin as possible, the Vikings still finished a game above .500.
If McCarthy stays healthy and improves, or if Murray proves to be the reclamation project Minnesota hopes for, this should be a playoff team. Otherwise, a handful of wins should still be attainable, which likely leaves the front office picking in the middle of the first round.
The veteran who could change the plan: Much like the Falcons, Minnesota finds itself choosing between an oft-injured and unproven youngster and a perennial middle-of-the-road veteran seeking one final chance as a starter. The more team-friendly outcome is for McCarthy to figure things out, but the more likely scenario is that Murray delivers a solid campaign and forces the Vikings to decide between re-signing him or finding a rookie replacement.
Could the Vikings Become Arch Manning’s Preferred NFL Destination?
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/could-the-vikings-become-arch-manning-preferred-nfl-destination
“With the Jets’ division rivals acquiring (A.J.) Brown, and the Cardinals’ division rivals acquiring (Myles) Garrett, and the Browns trading Garrett, the likelihood that one or all of these traditionally maligned franchises end up with the top pick is starting to solidify,” Orr writes. “Manning can certainly escape—there is a family blueprint. But it’s starting to look like another thorny runway for a Manning entering the professional ranks. How do you avoid the Browns, Cardinals and Jets to make your way to the Vikings? We’re about to find out.”
Orr is suggesting that Manning, who is entering his third year at Texas, could perhaps pull a stunt as Eli Manning did in 2004, when he allegedly threatened to sit out his rookie season and not sign if the Chargers drafted him. The Chargers drafted him anyway with the No. 1 pick, but less than an hour later, they traded him to the Giants for Philip Rivers, who was the No. 4 pick, along with a 2004 third-round pick, a 2005 first-round pick, and a 2005 fifth-round pick.
Analyst: Vikings competing in toughest division in the NFL
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/analyst-vikings-competing-toughest-division-022343492.html
According to Alex Kay of Bleacher Report, the NFC North is expected to be the most difficult division in the league, as the average win total is expected to be 9.75. Here is what Kay had to say about the Vikings’ offseason, and how they play a factor into this division being the hardest:
The Minnesota Vikings regressed after handing the reins to J.J. McCarthy last season with no backup plan, an issue they rectified by signing Kyler Murray. With the two-time Pro Bowler now pushing for the QB1 role in the Twin Cities, the Vikes may have the signal-caller they were missing in 2025 and could be a real threat to make a deep run.
2026 OTA Practice | June 2
https://www.vikings.com/video/highlights-from-2026-ota-practice-june-2
Blockbuster NFL trade just changed the Dallas Turner conversation
https://thevikingage.com/jared-verse-trade-changed-dallas-turner-conversation-minnesota-vikings
June 1 Brings the Vikings a Chunk of Salary Cap Space: What’s Next?
https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/onsi/june-1-brings-vikings-chunk-of-salary-cap-space-whats-next
For much of May, after signing Jauan Jennings, the Vikings were pretty tightly up against the salary cap, with maybe 1 or 2 million dollars to spare. That changed on Monday, as the NFL’s June 1 processing date provided Minnesota with a solid chunk of cap space.
The Vikings released defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in March with a post-June 1 designation, allowing them to spread out the dead cap hits over 2026 and 2027. That transaction is now official, which clears $11.2 million in cap space for this year, per Over the Cap. The Vikings also get another $1.3 million from Harrison Smith’s contract coming off the books, bringing the total to $12.5M.
The Vikings Have Newfound Cap Space. Here’s What They Need.
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/vikings-cap-space-needs
R.I.P.
Reusse: Larry Fitzgerald Sr. was a proud father, dedicated journalist and an ally to many
https://www.startribune.com/reusse-the-late-larry-fitzgerald-sr-was-a-proud-father-dedicated-journalist-and-an-ally-to-many/601850641
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