EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy said Wednesday he was “disappointed” by the team’s choice to name Kyler Murray the starter. Coach Kevin O’Connell made the announcement Tuesday.
“A decision was made that was out of my control,” McCarthy said. “Obviously, every competitor wants to play. But moving forward, it’s just about continuing to work hard and staying ready for when my number is called.”
O’Connell said McCarthy would be the team’s backup. The 23-year-old will likely receive significant snaps in Saturday’s preseason opener at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants.
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McCarthy managed Wednesday’s news conference with maturity. He kept the focus on his own personal development. He said he would support Murray and the quarterback room as much as possible. When asked whether or not he continues to see a future with the Vikings’ organization, he doubled down on a comment made earlier this summer.
“Like I said before, this is the place I want to be,” McCarthy said. “I love every single person in this building. I love this state. I love the fanbase. I’m going to keep continuing to do what I can for this team and organization.”
The job of a backup requires a particular deftness and preparation, which McCarthy must show over the next few weeks. Snaps with preseason game speed should only aid the development of the 2024 first-rounder, who has played only 10 regular-season games since entering the NFL.
His initial road has been rocky. During his first preseason game in 2024, McCarthy tore his meniscus, requiring season-ending surgery. The Vikings handed him the starting quarterback job in 2025, a move that primarily contributed to the team missing the playoffs. Ankle and hand injuries affected any early momentum. With no playoff wins since the 2019 season, the Vikings opted to sign Murray, a quarterback they deemed capable of winning in the short term.
The Vikings structured the summer and fall as a quarterback evaluation period for Murray and McCarthy. Neither quarterback performed at a clip throughout training camp that made any move obvious, but O’Connell decided to proceed with the player he believes gives Minnesota the best chance in the present.
