Kyler Murray named Vikings QB1, JJ McCarthy benched

The Vikings finally have their answer. After splitting first-team reps for two weeks of training camp, Minnesota named Kyler Murray its starting quarterback over JJ McCarthy, closing a competition that had the entire building - and Barstool - watching every practice snap.

Barstool Gambling

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Kyler Murray WILL START at QB for the Minnesota Vikings JJ McCarthy heads to the bench…

The decision came together fast for something this consequential. Murray signed a one-year, $1.3 million deal with Minnesota back on March 12 after the Cardinals released him - with Arizona still on the hook for $35.5 million of his old contract. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft, made 10 career starts before losing the job, and Kevin O'Connell said Murray had simply 'shown enough' command of the offense to earn it.

For Justin Jefferson, it's just another Tuesday. Barstool's own count put it bluntly: Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion, Nick Mullens, Josh Dobbs, Jaren Hall, Sam Darnold, JJ McCarthy, Max Brosmer - and now Kyler Murray. That's the QB carousel Minnesota's best receiver has played with since he entered the league, and Murray just became the latest name on it.

Barstool Sports

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The QB Battle That Dominated This Country Is Finally Over - Kyler Murray Is QB1 For The Vikings, JJ McCarthy Back To The Bench t.co/d4B2ZVWgyT

The Barstool reaction split predictably along fan lines. On the Yak, one host went as far as calling Murray 'the best athlete of our lifetime' while breaking down the move.

Barstool Sports

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“The best athlete of our lifetime” -KB talking about Kyler Murray

McCarthy isn't going anywhere yet - O'Connell was clear the kid is still 'holding the pen on his story' and will keep getting developmental reps as the backup. But the vibes from Barstool's own crew have been rougher, with an old Yak clip of BFW flatly saying McCarthy is 'done' getting recirculated now that the decision is official. It's a resurfaced take, not a fresh reaction to Tuesday's news, but it captures how little goodwill McCarthy has left in some corners after a rocky first two pro seasons.

Pardon My Take dove into it Wednesday morning with Coach Gruden on, running through the QB1 news alongside their usual Mount Rushmore bits - a reminder this story isn't going away as camp rolls on. Both quarterbacks are still expected to play together in Minnesota's preseason game against the Giants, with the real opener not until September 13 against Green Bay. For now, the job - and the pressure that comes with it - belongs to Murray.