TC Day 10 ~ Aug. 9th ~ Night Practice

#SKOL Thor that in a nutshell is the truth the issue is this is NOT a competition. The Vikings have to get the free look (Cardinals paying for 2026) for Murray this year. It is as simple as that, regardless of who may statistically outperform in camp. It’s always about the money. https://t.co/8nMGvqS0cL

— CrakRok (@CrakRok) August 10, 2026

The Vikings are two weeks into training camp + a month of spring practice.

Kyler Murray is still struggling to create separation from JJ McCarthy -- to put it mildly.

At what point does this start to actually matter in the "QB competition?"

— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) August 10, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/philmackey/status/2086799239904989694?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

It can be one of two things. Either JJ is much further along than meets the eye. Or Murray just needs more time to get comfortable. Could be a little of both. If JJ just was a little more trusting in himself and processed a bit faster, not sure this would be much of a competition in favor of JJ. The one thing this competition has shown me is that you can't let JJ go via trade. You have to hold onto him now IMO.

"I think mentally he's definitely probably ahead of where I thought."

Definitely probably?

Favorite practice of the year 💜 pic.twitter.com/ol3BUYA5pw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 10, 2026

Never taking our fans for granted pic.twitter.com/gxKucLexSy

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 10, 2026

MaroonBells wrote:

"I think mentally he's definitely probably ahead of where I thought."
Definitely probably?

Jumbo shrimp

Military intelligence

Couldn’t find it, but there was a clip of Claiborne picking up a blitz that warmed my heart.

Canthony wrote:

It can be one of two things. Either JJ is much further along than meets the eye. Or Murray just needs more time to get comfortable. Could be a little of both. If JJ just was a little more trusting in himself and processed a bit faster, not sure this would be much of a competition in favor of JJ. The one thing this competition has shown me is that you can't let JJ go via trade. You have to hold onto him now IMO.

There is a third factor. That being that the neither QB can beat the Flores defense. The pre season games & practices against Baltimore are going to be telling. Hoping that the passing game looks much more effective in those.

JustInTime wrote:

Couldn’t find it, but there was a clip of Claiborne picking up a blitz that warmed my heart.

MaroonBells wrote:

https://twitter.com/wludford/status/2086632250343334095

That’s the one.

Knucklehead wrote:

There is a third factor. That being that the neither QB can beat the Flores defense. The pre season games & practices against Baltimore are going to be telling. Hoping that the passing game looks much more effective in those.

I think that certainly is playing into both QBs struggles with consistency. It was even evident when Darnold was here. Lots of reports about him looking shaky in training camp by the media. Then the regular season rolls around and he looked like a completely different QB.

I think that is why KOC wasn't in a rush to name a starter. Let them get tested by our defense for a few weeks and then see how they look against whatever schemes other teams are throwing at them in preseason and joint practices.

I'm expecting a starter to be named shortly after the first preseason game. Only way they won't is if neither Murray or JJM do anything notable on the field. Then they may want to see both QBs against the Ravens during their scrimmage and go from there.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

I think that certainly is playing into both QBs struggles with consistency. It was even evident when Darnold was here. Lots of reports about him looking shaky in training camp by the media. Then the regular season rolls around and he looked like a completely different QB.
I think that is why KOC wasn't in a rush to name a starter. Let them get tested by our defense for a few weeks and then see how they look against whatever schemes other teams are throwing at them in preseason and joint practices.
I'm expecting a starter to be named shortly after the first preseason game. Only way they won't is if neither Murray or JJM do anything notable on the field. Then they may want to see both QBs against the Ravens during their scrimmage and go from there.

100% this.

Add Cousins to that list too...

My guess is they will have what they need after NYG game, B4 Ravens scrimmages..

PROBABLY...

I think KOC is dumb to put starters out there in preseason games for any length of time to help show out the QB1. I think it will be a regrettable move.

purplefaithful wrote:

100% this.
Add Cousins to that list too...
My guess is they will have what they need after NYG game, B4 Ravens scrimmages..
PROBABLY...

Certainly.... Most Likely.... For sure.... but probably they will know lol

StickierBuns wrote:

I think KOC is dumb to put starters out there in preseason games for any length of time to help show out the QB1. I think it will be a regrettable move.

Doubt we see Jefferson. Doubt we see Darrisaw.

StickierBuns wrote:

I think KOC is dumb to put starters out there in preseason games for any length of time to help show out the QB1. I think it will be a regrettable move.

Ah, because not playing starters last year worked out so well?

Canthony wrote:

Doubt we see Jefferson. Doubt we see Darrisaw.

Yep. And so will each QB have the same amount of starters to play with? And who plays when? Early when better players are in or later when the future garbage men and Menards employees will be playing? Or does any of it matter?*

* answer: it doesn't matter. It will have no bearing on QB1. But it will have some bearing on who gets possibly injured.

greediron wrote:

Ah, because not playing starters last year worked out so well?

So how can you win? Play starters and watch some get injured or don't play them and start out of the gate a little slower? This is how fans put the teams in no-win situations. And as we've learned: the healthiest teams almost always are the best teams throughout the season. Its not an easy answer, I know....

RS_Express wrote:

My opinion on the QB competition so far is that Kyler raises the Vikings' floor compared to last year, but neither of them has been consistent enough to really raise the ceiling.

I haven't seen either of them in TC other than the videos that are posted, but the above statement is one of the better summaries I've read.