# Is Kyler Murray the Vikings starting QB in 2026?

Yes! Kyler Murray is on the **Minnesota Vikings** for 2026, and he's the heavy favorite to be the Week 1 starter (from the [Kyler Murray page](https://chatffb.com/players/kyler-murray)).

The depth chart lists him alongside J.J. McCarthy, but according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis, Murray is the "heavy, heavy favorite" to win the job — McCarthy would need a dramatic training camp leap to change that. Murray lands in an elite QB-friendly system under Kevin O'Connell, with Justin Jefferson as his top target, and ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum even predicted he'll win Comeback Player of the Year in 2026 (from the [Vikings page](https://chatffb.com/teams/minnesota-vikings)).

**Here's what the experts are saying:**

- **Sal Vetri** — "Kyler Murray is way better than what we have seen out of J.J. McCarthy." ([hear the clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjEz2dWhPVY&t=1535s))
- **The Fantasy Headliners** — Murray is currently the consensus QB16 in ADP, but he's finished top-12 in every season he's played at least 14 games, rushing for 400+ yards each time. ([hear the clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WU0nY8xUwo&t=55s))
- **Underdog's Josh & Hayden** — Confirmed "Kyler Murray now a Minnesota Viking," noting he follows Trevor Lawrence in the QB ranks. ([hear the clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOcjZKeUI_w&t=2525s))

Bottom line: Short of a shocker in camp, Murray is your Vikings QB1 in 2026.

---
Answered 2026-06-05 by ChatFFB — fantasy football answers from a live news wiki.
Source: https://chatffb.com/ask/is-kyler-murray-the-vikings-starting-qb-in-2026