When you’re a publication and you’re making QB rankings during the 2026 offseason, you kind of have to include both […]
When you’re a publication and you’re making QB rankings during the 2026 offseason, you kind of have to include both Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy when it comes to assessing the Minnesota Vikings.
We likely won’t know who the winner of the QB competition between the two will be for a little while now. For that reason, many people have been rating the Vikings’ QB room as a tandem. PFF recently jumped into the ranking game, but they took a bit of a different approach.
Kyler Murray Ranked 21st in PFF QB Rankings
PFF ranked assumed starter Kyler Murray as the 21st-best QB in the NFL heading into 2026.
“As has been the case throughout his career, Murray flashed his immense talent in 2025 before injuries once again cut his season short. He was limited to just five starts last year, and he has played a full season only once since 2021. He fell out of favor in Arizona and is now competing with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in Minnesota.
Murray’s talent is still tantalizing when he is healthy and in rhythm. As recently as the 2024 regular season, he ranked seventh among qualifying quarterbacks in big-time throws (27) and second in yards per carry (7.3). In five starts last season, he earned a respectable 72.2 PFF passing grade. Murray has shown he can play at a top-eight level, and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has had plenty of success with less talented quarterbacks. Perhaps the pairing will help lead Minnesota back to the postseason.”
Kyler Murray may be the 21st-ranked QB by PFF right now, but by the end of the season, it could be much higher. There’s no denying that Murray has the talent to possibly even catapult himself near the top-10 of these rankings, but only time will decide on that. For now, PFF has him as one spot below Panthers QB Bryce Young, and one spot above Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers.
PFF also took a crack at ranking J.J. McCarthy, although he wasn’t ranked in the top 32. Rather, he was listed as an honorable mention.
J.J. McCarthy Gets Honorable Mention in PFF QB Rankings
PFF included a list of honorable mentions outside of the top 32 QBs. The honorable mentions were Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza, Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr., Browns QB Sheduer Sanders, and Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy.
PFF gave some words of insight on J.J. McCarthy:
“Between injuries and ineffective play, McCarthy’s first two NFL seasons have been nothing short of disastrous. He now finds himself in a competition with Kyler Murray for the starting job in Minnesota. There have been positive moments, including generating the second-highest big-time throw rate among qualifying quarterbacks last season, but inconsistent mechanics and poor accuracy have marred his play. If he doesn’t improve significantly before the start of the 2026 season, his days in Minnesota could be numbered.”
It’s a fair assessment of where McCarthy is at. If Kyler Murray is to take the starting job and be the lead-man in Minnesota, then McCarthy’s time with the Vikings really could be done.
It’s hard to feel like J.J. McCarthy isn’t facing an up-mountain battle, and his time with the Vikings feels very much in danger.
