EAGAN, Minn. — This journey began in January. The 2025 season had just ended, and Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said “there has to be” competition at the quarterback position.That incited an extensive evaluation of the free-agent QB class by the offensive staff. The Vikings left the combine in Indianapolis with their priorities set, and veteran Kyler Murray sat atop the list.Murray’s signing in mid-March gave O’Connell a chance to name a starter, but he declined. Instead, for months, he insisted there would be a competition between Murray and 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. The thought was the challenge and shared discomfort would enhance the play of both quarterbacks, and, by extension, the entire offense.Locker room leaders publicly backed the strategy, even though people around the league — including some Vikings staffers and players — fully expected Tuesday’s outcome all along.Is Minnesota Vikings starting QB job actually up for grabs?In the morning, O’Connell met with both quarterbacks and informed them Murray would be the starter. Then, after a team meeting and a walk-through, O’Connell explained the decision to reporters, focusing on Murray’s experience and potential.“I think the competition benefitted both of those guys,” O’Connell said, “and maybe accelerated some things, and maybe also let us know exactly where we’re at with both guys in our attempt to get them both ready.”This long-awaited anointment shifts the conversation forward. The discussion moves from “How did the two quarterbacks look today?” to “What is Murray capable of in O’Connell’s revamped system?”But there’s another question that’s worth asking, too. What does Tuesday’s news mean for McCarthy?O’Connell said Tuesday that McCarthy will be the Vikings’ backup and the 23-year-old will continue to receive significant reps.