The Minnesota Vikings will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2 of the preseason. The Vikings enter the 2026 season with a completely different outlook at quarterback after Kyler Murray won the starting job over J.J. McCarthy.
McCarthy’s future has become one of the biggest storylines surrounding the Vikings. After losing the starting job, the former first-round pick could either remain in Minnesota as a valuable developmental asset or eventually become a trade piece if another team offers enough value.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens are also entering a new era after Jesse Minter took over as head coach following John Harbaugh’s departure. Lamar Jackson remains the centerpiece of the franchise and enters another season with one clear objective: finally lead Baltimore to a Super Bowl.
Is Kyler Murray playing today for Vikings vs Ravens?
No. Kyler Murray will not play today for the Vikings against the Ravens. The decision was made by Kevin O’Connell after Murray was established as Minnesota’s starting quarterback.
Rather than exposing his QB1 to unnecessary preseason injury risk, O’Connell has opted to give him the day off as the regular season approaches. That means J.J. McCarthy will get the start against Baltimore, giving him another opportunity to show the Vikings what he can do after losing the starting competition to Murray.
For McCarthy, the preseason reps are particularly important because his performance could influence whether the Vikings continue developing him or eventually consider a trade.
Is Lamar Jackson playing today for Ravens vs Vikings?
No. Lamar Jackson will not play today for the Ravens against the Vikings. The decision is similar to Minnesota’s approach with Murray. Jesse Minter does not want to take unnecessary risks with his franchise quarterback during the preseason, especially with the regular season approaching and Jackson once again carrying Baltimore’s Super Bowl expectations.
Tyler Huntley will get the call at quarterback for the Ravens. The veteran backup has proven to be a reliable option when called upon in recent years, giving Baltimore an experienced player capable of handling the preseason workload while Jackson watches from the sideline.
