Vikings name Kyler Murray starting QB, sources say - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray their starting quarterback, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, the expected conclusion to their quarterback competition despite a rocky series of practices leading to the decision.

Murray has been the heavy favorite to win the job from the moment he signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract March 12 following his release by the Arizona Cardinals, who will pay him $35.5 million. The decision pushes J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft, to the sideline after 10 career starts and raises questions about his future. Quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also remain on the roster.

The timing of the decision will give Murray a month of practice full time with the Vikings' starting offense, after splitting reps with McCarthy during the spring and the first two weeks of training camp, before the regular season begins Sept. 13 against the Green Bay Packers. Murray has struggled in recent days, and threw two interceptions in a full-pads stadium practice Sunday night, but McCarthy was not able to capitalize.

Murray, 29, spent seven seasons with the Cardinals after they selected him No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft. He won the NFL's Rookie of the Year award in his first season and was named to a pair of NFC Pro Bowl teams, but injuries derailed two of his past three seasons and the organization decided to make a clean break this offseason after hiring new coach Mike LaFleur.

The Vikings, who had fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in part because of the team's failure to settle the quarterback position, immediately expressed interest. After McCarthy struggled with injuries, accuracy and decision-making issues during his first season as the starter, coach