The Minnesota Vikings opened 2026 training camp with a genuine quarterback battle for the first time in 12 years. But through two weeks, no totally undisputed frontrunner has emerged to seize the QB1 job, with Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy producing hot-and-cold outings, often at the same time.
And while some have expressed concern about Murray especially, it’s important to remember that Sam Darnold followed this path two years ago – – and the Vikings later won 14 games.
Sam Darnold’s 2024 Summer Is a Useful Reality Check
Darnold’s Training Camp Was Never a Straight Line
Because Darnold is now a Super Bowl champion, he has more shine than ever, with few remembering or even caring about his rocky times in the Twin Cities. For example, he collapsed – – utterly capitulated — during his final two games as the Vikings quarterback. He also didn’t set training camp on fire in July and August 2024.
On August 3, 2024, SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote, “Although Darnold has had an up-and-down training camp, there’s no question that he has the arm talent to get the ball to Jefferson and Jordan Addison on a regular basis.”
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on September 4, 2024: “Sometimes he (Darnold) made regrettable throws. During an Aug. 12 practice, Darnold did not appear to see that linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel had slipped into the flat on a quick-hitting pass to Jefferson, creating an interception that Van Ginkel returned for a touchdown.”
“Darnold bent over with his arms on his knees immediately after the throw, the same type of play that ultimately doomed his time with the Jets from 2018 to 2020 and later the Carolina Panthers (2021-22).”
The reporting from two years ago about Darnold is similar to Murray, taking time to learn the offense, competing against McCarthy, and facing a deadly defense daily. It’s just, for some reason, folks revisit the Darnold experience as one without warts.
The Talent Was Easier to See Than the End Result
Darnold always had the raw talent for Minnesota’s QB1 job in 2024; so does Murray. McCarthy tore his meniscus in the first preseason game of 2024, completely clearing the way for Darnold to start. That likely – – hopefully – – won’t happen to McCarthy again this month, but McCarthy battled Darnold neck and neck at 2024 training camp. Murray might even be more of a frontrunner now than Darnold was at this time on the calendar.
Meanwhile, when Murray has not produced A+ days at training camp, he’s still shown the arm talent and speed to demonstrate why the Arizona Cardinals drafted him first overall in 2019. That hasn’t vanished and won’t be hard to find when the regular season starts.
Former Vikings WR Brandon Powell said about Darnold at 2024 training camp, “He’s a gunslinger. He’s got a little zip on that ball.”
Current Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson said about Murray, “He understands the game. He understands the defenses. He understands just how to put touch on the ball, just enough to where it gets to where it gotta go, without making it difficult for us.”
“So, he understands the game a lot more just because he’s been in the game for a couple of years now. So, he kinda throws the ball before you even get out of that break. Throws you open for sure. He’s a smart guy, and he’s a competitor just like me.”
By Mid-August, Minnesota No Longer Had a Decision to Make
Darnold didn’t secure the QB1 job until mid-August 2024. The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis tweeted Tuesday, “Sam Darnold began taking all of the reps in 2024 on Aug. 14 (first day of joint practices). That timeline was forced by J.J.’s injury, but it provided a clear runway that everyone was behind.”
That doesn’t guarantee that Murray is days away from accepting the QB1 title, but it does offer a reasonable timeline of the possibility. Murray would probably never grasp Kevin O’Connell’s offense in a day – – Darnold didn’t – – and using 2024 as a reference, the 2024 timing could be aligning.
There’s also the fact that McCarthy has not taken training camp by the tail. The youngster has arguably had an opening to retain his QB1 job from 2025, but for better or worse, that just hasn’t happened.
Murray’s Camp Is Evidence but Not a Full Verdict
It’s fair to glean tidbits from Murray’s training camp performance as clues to how he’ll perform in September. He’ll improvise off schedule, he’ll hit Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and he should have command of the offense.
Yet, what he’s displayed at training camp – – good and bad – – won’t directly correspond to the regular season. Why? It just doesn’t work that way. Murray is currently practicing against the same fantastic defense every day, and history shows that practice is different from the regular season. If practice and exhibition games were a strong tell, Max Brosmer would’ve balled out in the regular season last year after an unusually strong training camp and preseason. Instead, he struggled under center in the regular season. Outside linebacker Gabriel Murphy, who barnstormed the 2025 preseason, would also still be in the NFL. Alas, he is not.
Darnold was a mediocre-to-decent training camp asset two years ago – – a mixed bag. That assessment has eerily transferred to Murray in 2026.
The only thing left is to win 14 games and contend for the NFC North – – like Darnold did.
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VikesNow Verdict: Darnold’s 2024 camp was never spotless, yet Minnesota still uncovered a 14-win quarterback. Murray’s August performance is relevant, but history offers a useful warning: flashes and uneven practices don’t necessarily reveal what September will produce.
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