The Minnesota Vikings have a starting QB battle on their hands, but the favorite by many to win this job is Kyler Murray. After the Arizona Cardinals cut ties with him this offseason, Murray will be looking to be the next QB that bounces back under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Still, Murray has to edge out J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz for the starting job. Moreover, given the money the Vikings are paying all three signal-callers, Minnesota won’t hand anyone the starting job.
As a result, former NFL edge rusher Chris Long shared what Murray needs to improve once the battle begins to ensure the former No. 1 pick comes out on top and is starting for the Vikings in Week 1.
“When I watch him play, and I watch every single snap of him throwing the ball last year, and as you know, I watch a ton of games, he doesn’t see the field that well late in downs,” Long said on the March 25 edition of “Green Light with Chris Long.”
“That’s one of the things he needs to improve. Listen, I love the mobility he brings to the table, but he has to be better at seeing the field late in downs. If you’re just relying on your vision, it hasn’t been great so far. I don’t think it’s all 5-foot-10. I think it’s just how certain people see the field.”
Carson Wentz Could Give Kyler Murray a Run for Starting Job
After re-signing Wentz, who played a few games in 2025 before suffering his season-ending shoulder injury, former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber put out his QB depth chart for the team on March 19. To the surprise of many, he had Wentz at the top over Murray and McCarthy.
Nonetheless, he did catch flack for it, but during his appearance on KFAN on March 23, Leber doubled down on this stance, noting that the Vikings’ offense would look better with Wentz. However, Leber noted that he expects Murray to be the starter in Week 1.
“Carson, to me, barring any sort of injury, and I think that we all were sort of wowed by his three weeks coming into this team and then having to take over the team and, like, ‘Damn, this guy can actually kind of sling it.’” Leber said. “He can actually play. Our offense is actually kind of efficient. [The Vikings were] moving the ball. We’re much more explosive. We’re getting the ball down the field.
“The whole offense is opened up. We don’t have to negate middle-of-the-field throws because J.J. McCarthy can’t make those. We can use the whole field with Carson Wentz. So, as of today, mid-March, I think Carson Wentz is a better fit for this offense. Do I think Kyler Murray is going to win out? Yes. Yes, I do think that on opening day it’s going to be Kyler Murray.”
Vikings Need to Go With the Best QB in This Battle
Additionally, Leber believes that with how little the Vikings are paying all three QBs, the team needs to go with the best player who shows out during OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and the preseason.
“It has to be a true competition,” Leber added. “And I do not think, especially with the money that you’re paying these quarterbacks, that you have to anoint anybody, right? If Carson ends up being the best quarterback through OTAs, minicamp, and the early parts of training camp, I think you play the guy. You start him if he’s truly winning a competition.
“I know a lot of people would get upset if Kyler was the backup quarterback to start the season, but I would completely understand if we’re watching minicamp and training camp and see that this guy is good when he can scramble, but he can’t stay within the offense.”