Vikings name Murray starting quarterback
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EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have chosen Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy, the widely expected conclusion to what coach Kevin O'Connell pledged was a true competition.
O'Connell made the announcement before practice on Tuesday afternoon, giving Murray a full month of full-time repetitions with the first-team offense before the regular season begins on Sept. 13. O'Connell and general manager Nolan Teasley met with both players in the morning to discuss the decision.
"I didn't come in here expecting to be handed the job or anything like that. I just expected to come here and compete," Murray said after practice. "I'm very appreciative of how it was handled."
With 87 starts over seven years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, two Pro Bowl selections and a unique elusiveness that has fueled 3,193 career rushing yards, Murray was going to have to either get hurt or badly struggle with his grasp of O'Connell's offense for McCarthy to keep the job.
Murray, who signed a one-year contract with the Vikings for the veteran minimum salary, will be the fourth starting quarterback in four season openers following McCarthy, Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
– Free agent cornerback Terrion Arnold is set to visit the New York Giants today. That's according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the visit hadn't been announced. Arnold is facing eight felony charges stemming from allegations he orchestrated the abduction and beating of three men. The 23-year-old became a free agent in late June after the Detroit Lions released him in the aftermath of being charged. Arnold has played in 25 games, including playoffs, since the Lions took him with the 24th pick in the 2024 draft.
– Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori has passed his physical. It's an important step toward being activated from the physically unable to perform list. Seattle is hoping Emmanwori will be ready to play in the season opener on Sept. 9. The Seahawks host New England in a Super Bowl rematch to open the 2026 NFL schedule. Emmanwori suffered a low ankle sprain four days before the Super Bowl, but played through the injury to help Seattle win the title. Now in his second season, he began training camp on the PUP list after undergoing offseason ankle surgery.
– Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant will miss four to six months after he had surgery on his injured left knee. Bryant was signed to a $40 million, three-year deal as a free agent this offseason, was expected to be an important part of a revamped Chicago secondary. Coach Ben Johnson said Bryant had surgery Friday without disclosing details of the injury. He did not rule out the possibility that Bryant would return this season. Former Dallas and Tennessee safety Xavier Woods was signed last week and has been practicing with the starters in Bryant's spot.
– Baltimore Ravens cornerback and 2024 first-round draft pick Nate Wiggins was carted off the field roughly an hour into Tuesday's practice after suffering a left leg injury. Wiggins tangled with rookie wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane during one-on-one drills and fell to the turf. He appeared unable to put weight on the leg as he entered the team facility. Asked about the potential seriousness of the injury, first-year head coach Jesse Minter said Wiggins was still being evaluated. Wiggins' injury comes two practices after two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Zay Flowers left Friday's session with a thigh bruise. Flowers returned Tuesday after missing Sunday's practice.
– New York Jets cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers was recovering at home after he was hospitalized following a scary moment on the field earlier in the day when he briefly lost consciousness late in a joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team didn't provide any further details on the nature of Stiggers' ailment or if he might be sidelined. The teams practice again Wednesday and Jets coach Aaron Glenn will speak to reporters after the session. The incident happened during special teams drills, causing concern among teammates who formed a prayer circle. The 24-year-old Stiggers is entering his third season with the Jets.