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The Minnesota Vikings appear to be having a true competition to determine who will be their starting QB once Week 1 comes around. All signs point to the battle being between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy, while Carson Wentz is a veteran insurance for injury or poor play.

Moreover, many believe that Murray will emerge as the winner of the competition. However, with talk of the Vikings having an actual battle where the players are on equal footing, there’s a chance McCarthy can outperform the former No. 1 pick.

Nonetheless, for former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber, it doesn’t matter who starts; the team’s main goal is to help whoever wins the job win the NFC North and go on a deep playoff run.

“I don’t think you can really go wrong either way; I think there’s going to be some shock and awe from people who can’t believe it [if McCarthy wins the job],” Leber said on a May 11 appearance on KFAN. “I’m sure some will think there’s politics behind it, but I honestly believe it’s all business.

“I don’t think they’re trying to placate anyone or make a political decision. I think they simply want to create as much competition as possible at every position, and quarterback is no exception. May the best man win.

“There’s too much riding on the season; there’s too much talent on this team. This is not a rebuilding year where you say, ‘Oh, we’re just going to get cute, win a few games and be competitive.’ There’s no reason why we can’t compete to win this division. None at all… This is not just a wasted year. This is a year where, ‘Let’s go for it.‘”

Kyler Murray Will Look to Replicate Daniel Jones Situation

Nonetheless, while Leber appears to be more in the “Let the best man win“ camp, he noted that Murray chose the Vikings because the former Arizona Cardinals star and his agent see this as the best chance to be a starter again. It will be up to McCarthy to show that he’s not willing to be the next Anthony Richardson. 

“Kyler and his agent are not blind,“ Leber added. “They saw what happened with J.J. McCarthy last year, and they know the Vikings are looking for other services to bolster that room and bring in true competition.

“It could very well be a Daniel Jones situation where he walked into the Colts and they said, ‘Hey, we can’t guarantee anything, but we’ll give you a one-year rental deal, and all you have to do is get into a competition with Anthony Richardson. It’s up to you whether you think you can beat out Anthony Richardson.’

“Then Daniel Jones was like, ‘Yeah, I see the writing on the wall here. I know that I can beat this guy out.‘ Maybe just situationally and also from a personal confidence standpoint.”

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Gets Strong Message

While Murray is the favorite, given his production in the NFL and his status as a former No. 1 pick, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter isn’t ruling out McCarthy from potentially winning the job. Furthermore, the insider provided a message of encouragement. 

“I’m not ready to write off J.J. yet,“ Schefter said on a May 8 appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.“ “… “There’s a boatload of talent in Minnesota, and that doesn’t even include a head coach who is obviously adept and proficient at getting these offensive plays in and having the offensive production that Kevin O’Connell has. I don’t know how you handicap it.

“I think a lot of people believe that Kyler is going to wind up as the starting quarterback, but I think J.J. McCarthy is going to give him a run still. I don’t think the Vikings are ready or willing to give up on J.J. McCarthy just yet.

“I think they’ve got two good quarterbacks there. These are two high draft picks, so it will play out, but I think a lot of people believe Kyler is going to prevail and win the job. But again, I’m not ready to give up on J.J. just yet.”