How Kyler Murray's command and decisiveness won him Vikings QB job in 10 practices

MINNEAPOLIS — Kyler Murray’s on-field vision, refined through 87 NFL starts, immediately struck Max Brosmer when the quarterbacks practiced together with the Vikings this spring.

Murray, Brosmer noticed, wasn’t “forcing too many things.”

“He did a good job of, like, seeing the entire picture unfold,” Brosmer told the Minnesota Star Tribune, “and putting the ball in play. And I feel like that’s what an NFL quarterback with experience and maturity does.”

Murray’s growing decisiveness was evident through 10 training camp practices with Vikings.

His comfort and command of the offense, which is a work in progress, was already enough for coach Kevin O’Connell to name him the starter Tuesday over third-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has 10 career NFL starts.

O’Connell, in making the decision, referenced “high-completion days” for Murray in camp.

They included Aug. 1, the Vikings’ third day of practice, when Murray completed all eight of his passes with the first-team offense. Five of those targeted superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

“There’s moments in time where you know there’s comfort from Kyler in the scheme,” O’Connell said. “He was able to show some really, really good understanding of just putting the ball in play. Playing with great rhythm and timing.”

Murray also impressed the coaches in spring practices and the first two weeks of training camp by bouncing back after tough days.

“As the installs piled up,” O’Connell said, “you’d see a slowdown from a processing standpoint. The next day, you see an immediate response. Some of those things bode really well as we try to get him ready for this thing.”

Murray sharp after being named Vikings starting QB

Murray was on point during his first full practice as the Vikings starting quarterback Tuesday.

He completed 15 of 16 throws across 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. The only ball that hit the ground just missed a diving Jordan Addison as Murray tried to hit him along the sideline.

Murray exhibited accuracy and touch on multiple completions, including a roughly 20-yard toss to Jefferson that arced over outstretched linebacker Eric Wilson. While fleeing pressure to his right, Murray threw another downfield strike to Addison that hit the receiver right in the hands with cornerback Isaiah Rodgers in coverage.

Murray was also willing to check down underneath when coverage dictated.

“I don’t have to do too much,” Murray said after practice. “I have a great surrounding cast.”

Murray said he feels “light-years ahead” in the Vikings playbook compared to where he was entering spring practices.

Finding completions within the rhythm of O’Connell’s offense is paramount, but the coach doesn’t want to stifle Murray’s renowned playmaking with his legs. Murray himself called his elusiveness a “special” part of his game.

That doesn’t mean there won’t be growing pains. Murray threw two interceptions at Sunday’s night practice at TCO Stadium, for example. One pick came after he evaded pressure and tried to make a play to Jefferson.

“He has not turned the football over a lot,” O’Connell said, “but one of the turnovers the other night was off [an] ... off-schedule [play]. [He] did a great job getting up and out, and it’s a turnover with [Rodgers] getting him as a cloud corner kind of sinking underneath Justin right there.”

Safety Joshua Metellus told the Minnesota Star Tribune he’s seen the same playmaking in practice that Murray displayed as a two-time Pro Bowler in Arizona. Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, had 3,193 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns with the Cardinals.

“Stuff he’s been putting on tape since he’s been in the league,” Metellus said. “Obviously, it’s different seeing it every day in practices. I’ve seen a guy who’s come in, being intentional, wanting to get better, be that leader and wanting to be that guy. I’m excited for him.”

McCarthy, 23, now settles in as the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback, according to O’Connell.

O’Connell said the No. 10 overall pick in 2024 “absolutely” has a future with the team. He doesn’t want McCarthy to think of this as a long-term situation, because he could be called upon if Murray can’t play for any reason.

“It could be an immediate response needed,” O’Connell said. “J.J.’s the kind of guy that will be ready to rock and roll, I know that.”

Murray’s command stands out

Off the field, Murray, 29, brought a veteran approach that was immediately noticed by teammates.

O’Connell’s offense can be difficult to learn, with wordy play calls that need to be communicated quickly and effectively to 10 teammates in the huddle. The system also comes with different cadences to vary the team’s tempo, and keeping it all straight can trip an offense up.

The Vikings, with McCarthy under center, had eight false starts in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens last season. That was tied for the second-most false starts by a home team since 2000, according to ESPN.

Making Murray’s job more difficult is the fact he has to practice against defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ exotic scheme, which helped the Vikings allow the seventh-fewest points in the NFL last season.

“That’s a really tall task for anybody coming in,” Brosmer said. “He’s handled it maturely. He’s handled the entire situation maturely.”

Center Blake Brandel spoke highly of Murray’s command of the offense before he was named the starter.

“Clearly a vet,” Brandel told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “I feel super confident in him running the offense and running the show. It’s not an easy offense to pick up and he’s done a great job of that. I’m pumped.”

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