Vikings may have a 'pretty good idea' about winner of Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy competition

At this point, it's fair to say that the expectation among numerous outside observers is that Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell will eventually name free-agency signing Kyler Murray the team's starting quarterback over 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy.

While speaking with Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett for a video posted on Wednesday, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero suggested that O'Connell may already have his depth chart finalized ahead of the league's summer break.

Vikings' Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy competition may already be over

"It’ll be a really fascinating competition, one that I don't anticipate is going to take the full preseason to sort out," Pelissero said, as shared by Trevor Ripley of Heavy. "I think they’ll walk off the field at the end of this week with a pretty good idea." 

Per just about every account, Murray has outperformed McCarthy throughout the bulk of springtime workouts. On Tuesday, Murray sounded frustrated over the fact that he is having to learn a new offense while also splitting reps with McCarthy amid a battle for the QB1 job. Perhaps such comments will lead to O'Connell making what many believe is an inevitable decision official before Minnesota players get back together for the start of training-camp practices in late July. 

"A lot of people believe" Kyler Murray is winning the quarterback competition

"Kevin [O’Connell] has really gone through the early stage of the offseason with the focus on giving these guys equal opportunities between J.J. and Kyler," Pelissero explained. "I know there’s a lot of people who believe Kyler ultimately is going to be the quarterback. Kyler is certainly coming in here to take that job, and J.J.’s here every day trying not to give it up."

While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, McCarthy insisted that he doesn't want to be traded this summer. Previous reports indicated that he doesn't have much value as a tradable asset, but history shows that could change if a team finds itself in need of a quarterback during the preseason. 

Then again, Murray's worrisome injury history could result in the Vikings holding onto McCarthy at least until the November trade deadline gets a little closer.