Ben Leber Identifies the Vikings’ Fiercest Roster Battle

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray participates in minicamp drills on Jun. 11, 2019, at the team’s training facility in Tempe. Murray entered the NFL with enormous expectations as the top overall pick and later developed into one of football’s more dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks because of his mobility, arm talent, and off-script playmaking ability. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Leber on the QB Battle

Leber hopped on KFAN this week and said, “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. 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.”

Minnesota signed Murray in March for $1.3 million after the Arizona Cardinals cut ties.

Leber continued, “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.'”

The Daniel Jones Comparison

Leber also likened Murray’s 2026 situation to Daniel Jones in 2025, explaining, “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.”

Leber added, “Kyler and his agent are not blind. 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.”

Betting Money on Murray?

Murray arrives with a huge chip on his shoulder, a factor that shouldn’t be underestimated.

His release by Arizona after seven seasons is a bitter pill for any quarterback, particularly one with Murray’s personality and swagger. Though the Cardinals never secured a playoff victory with him and ultimately moved on, Minnesota now gains a highly motivated quarterback. He brings a documented track record of production and an athletic prowess capable of singlehandedly altering games.

Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shares a postgame moment with Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil on Dec. 7, 2025, after a matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. McCarthy’s first season as Minnesota’s starter featured flashes of high-end arm talent, leadership traits, and growing confidence while navigating increased expectations around the franchise quarterback role. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

And he’s not a player who’s starting at square one. Projecting over a 17-game season, Murray routinely delivers approximately 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and 600 rushing yards. These are star-level numbers for a dual-threat quarterback, even if Arizona struggled to translate them into playoff success.

From a pure talent perspective, the comparison is straightforward. Murray surpasses McCarthy in speed, accuracy, experience, and arm strength. However, McCarthy’s five-inch height advantage is a notable factor. Both men have injury concerns.

Remember Murray’s Injury Resume

While Murray may be the frontrunner to earn the QB1 job at training camp, one must remember his durability. Since 2019, Murray has missed 26% of all starts due to injury, and if that pattern holds in his first season with the Vikings, McCarthy will get one big shot to strut his stuff, assuming he starts the season as the QB2.

The Vikings drafted McCarthy in 2024 to be their future quarterback, plain and simple. The commitment was evident when they passed on established veterans like Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, and the aforementioned Jones during the 2025 offseason in favor of McCarthy.

Former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber watches from the sideline on Oct. 5, 2025, during an NFL International Series game against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Leber has remained connected to the organization after retirement, frequently appearing in Vikings media coverage and offering analysis on Minnesota’s roster and outlook. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

At just 23 years old (Murray, by comparison, will turn 29 this summer), McCarthy has significant room for growth. If the Vikings’ original plan unfolds as hoped, he will arrive at training camp with sharper mechanics, improved command, greater maturity, and the same magnetic locker room presence that inspired belief in him last year.

McCarthy has already shown flashes of his potential. In college, he executed throws that few quarterbacks can make, and his teammates visibly rallied around his energy. His arm talent, leadership, and drive are undeniable.

Now, the Vikings simply await the arrival of the complete package. That could happen if Murray succumbs to an injury.

Perhaps Leber is right that Minnesota has the best of both worlds.