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O'Connell: McCarthy and Murray 'Very Professional' Amid QB Competition After McCarthy's Underwhelming 2025 Season
Kevin O'Connell addressed reporters after the team's sixth OTA on June 4, 2026, saying he was not concerned about J.J. McCarthy's May 27 comments.
Jun 6, 2:44 PM·1m read1 source
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J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray have been "very professional" in their interactions during an open competition for the starting job. O'Connell spoke after the team's sixth organized team activity of the offseason in Eagan, Minnesota.
He said he was not concerned about McCarthy's May 27 comments that he sits on the opposite side of the quarterback room from Murray. "I want players who are smart, tough guys that love football," O'Connell said. "Guys who -- I don't even want to say are great teammates -- that need to attempt to be a great teammate.
O'Connell added that he does not require players to smile every day and that day-to-day demeanor forms part of the evaluation. "But it also doesn't mean that everybody has to be smiling every day," he said. "When they speak to [reporters], I want them to be open.
The Vikings signed Murray in free agency after McCarthy's first season as the starter in 2025. ESPN reported that Murray is the heavy favorite to start in Week 1. O'Connell said the competition centers on execution details.
"What actually matters is what I care about," he said. "Did we take the right footwork on a play?
