Cris Carter seems to have strong favorite for Vikings' Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy competition

A recent article suggested that free-agency signing Kyler Murray may not be the best fit for the offense run by Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.

Nevertheless, it sounds like Vikings legend and Hall of Famer Cris Carter is among those who think O'Connell should eventually name Murray the team's Week 1 starting quarterback over 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy.

Kyler Murray "in a great situation" to thrive with Vikings? 

"Kyler Murray is in a situation like a lot of other good players," Carter said during a Thursday NFL Network appearance, per Eduardo Razo of Heavy. "They were good players in other organizations, and then they came to the Vikings. The magic happens when you put those horns on and that purple helmet. Now he has everything around him: an offensive line, a running game, and an offensive-minded coach who’s going to put him in the best position to win. He has one of the elite receiving corps in the National Football League, and he’s on a one-year deal. So he’s in a great situation."

As Carter referenced, quarterback Sam Darnold resurrected his career when he led the 2024 Vikings to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth. Darnold later signed a three-year, $100.5M contract to join the Seattle Seahawks in March 2025, and he then guided Seattle to a Super Bowl victory this past February. 

"This happens all around the league," Carter continued. "It happens in Minnesota frequently, though. Guys aren’t happy somewhere else, and they come to Minnesota [because] they’ve got great ownership, great coaching, a great fan base, and they put out good stuff." 

Cris Carter thinks Kyler Murray will "definitely" be the Vikings' starter

The Arizona Cardinals signed Murray to a five-year contract extension reportedly worth $230.5M with $160M guaranteed in the summer of 2022. In December of that year, Murray suffered a knee injury that left him needing ACL surgery and meniscus repair. Last season, he made just five starts before he was shut down due to a foot issue.

Additionally, Murray seemingly developed a reputation for not always being fully dedicated to the cause and for being unpopular among at least some teammates until Arizona parted ways with him earlier this year.

"He’s got tremendous experience, but we all have to grow as players," Carter added about Murray. "He continues to grow. He accepts it, accepts [O'Connell's] coaching and is able to do the things that I think the Vikings can do. I think he definitely will be the starter. But he will bring an ingredient to the Vikings offense that we haven’t had in years, and that’s a guy who can build. When you can break down the defense now, you look at the top quarterbacks; every one of them is a dual threat. When everything breaks down on third down, you have a guy who can get you a first down. That’s what Kyler can do."

Murray and McCarthy will both be able to show what they can and can't do when the Vikings open the preseason with a matchup at the New York Giants on Aug. 15.