It’s a new regime in Minnesota, and like with all new regimes, general manager Rob Brzezinski wants to pick his quarterback. He didn’t draft JJ McCarthy; he inherited the former Michigan quarterback. McCarthy sat out his rookie season with a torn ACL and played only 10 games in his sophomore campaign. His numbers didn’t blow anyone away, completing a paltry 57.2% of his passes for 163 yards per game, and 11 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

It’s only natural for a player to struggle when he first starts, but in the NFL, it can cost people their jobs. When the Vikings fired Kwesi Odofo-Mensah they were saying that the McCarthy pick was a mistake, and they began trying to find a new one. This is a team built to win, going 14-3 with Sam Darnold at the helm, then unfortunately watching him win the Super Bowl in 2025, while they finished 9-8.

If Murray chooses the Vikings, he will have an elite defense that won’t force him to create in order to win, and he will have a solid offense. In particular, he will have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw to on the edges, and tight end TJ Hockenson inside. The three combined for 177 receptions, 2,096 yards, and eight touchdowns. Jordan Mason will return at running back, and they have the 18th overall pick to build with.

The question in Minnesota will be, “Is Murray the starter on day one, or will he have to beat out McCarthy for the spot?”