EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are moving forward with Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation. ESPN first reported the news on Tuesday.

Murray winning the No. 1 job was widely expected when the team signed him early this spring in free agency. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said this decision does not shift the team’s focus on further development for former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. The 23-year-old took some first-team reps this summer, but his lack of consistency made Minnesota’s decision a relatively easy one. Because the Vikings are committed to winning in 2026, they chose the player they saw as best positioned to produce immediate success.

Murray continues to acclimate to the Vikings’ system. Early in camp, miscommunications surfaced between him and his receivers. However, his willingness to push the ball vertically fits with O’Connell’s desire to remain explosive via the passing game.

The Vikings have already incorporated formations and concepts that suit some of Murray’s strengths. Adding assistant head coach Frank Smith, the former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator, enhanced the team’s inventory of shotgun and pistol sets. The Vikings plan to pair pass designs from those looks with similar-looking run plays.

Many factors contributed to this outcome. Arizona’s willingness to move on from Murray this spring made him available. McCarthy’s 2025 season was a topsy-turvy ride. Given the uncertainty around his trajectory, specifically with his durability and his struggles with layering passes, the Vikings pursued alternatives.

Patience with a young quarterback may be more palatable when a team has produced recent postseason success. The Vikings haven’t. The organization has not won a playoff game since 2019, and O’Connell has not advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs as a head coach. Superstar receiver Justin Jefferson is also 27 years old and is winless in the postseason. Increased expectations make the need to win now paramount, and O’Connell and company believe Murray is the quarterback who makes that more likely.

The St. Louis Cardinals will look for Jordan Walker to extend a 10-game hitting streak versus the Philadelphia Phillies, on Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. ET, at Busch Stadium. Cristopher Sanchez (15-4, 2.65 ERA) will start for the Phillies, who are 64-56 this season and second in the NL East. Andre Pallante (12-6, 3.63 ERA) is expected to start for the Cardinals, who are 59-60 and third in the NL Central.

How to watch Philadelphia Phillies vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Phillies vs. Cardinals odds

• Favorite Moneyline: Phillies -169
• Underdog Moneyline: Cardinals +140
• Total: 7.5
• Total Over Odds: -115
• Total Under Odds: -105

Injury reports

Phillies

Rafael Marchan: 10 Day IL (Knee), Caleb Kilian: 15 Day IL (Oblique), Johan Rojas: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Brad Keller: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Adolis Garcia: 60 Day IL (Lat), Tanner Banks: 60 Day IL (Forearm), Aaron Nola: day-to-day (Knee)

Cardinals

Ramón Urías: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Max Rajcic: 60 Day IL (Elbow)

Stats to know

• Philadelphia’s Bryce Harper has hit 25 home runs this season, which ranks 14th in MLB. He has also tallied 71 RBIs (18th in MLB) and has scored 72 runs. In 510 plate appearances, he has recorded a .254 BA, .369 OBP and .498 SLG with a 15.7% walk rate and a 21.2% strikeout rate. He has been effective on the base paths, recording seven steals on 12 attempts.
• In 498 plate appearances, Luis Arraez is hitting .316/.352/.436 with a .787 OPS and 10 steals on 10 attempts. He has hit five long balls, driven in 48 runs and scored 56 times.
• St. Louis’ Alec Burleson is slashing .284/.351/.480 this season with 19 home runs, 81 RBIs (5th in MLB) and an OPS of .831. He has a 16.2% strikeout rate and an 8.8% walk rate in 501 plate appearances, and he has scored 64 total runs.
• In 492 plate appearances, Jordan Walker has slashed .285/.341/.490 this season. He has hit 23 long balls and driven in 83 runs (4th in MLB) with a strikeout rate of 24.8% and a walk rate of 7.5%. He has stolen 14 bases on 19 attempts and has scored 70 runs.

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