“Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has announced QB Kyler Murray has cleared the concussion protocol and will start Sunday at Tampa Bay,” as confirmed by the Vikings on the team’s official X account.

Despite playing clean football and avoiding any turnovers in consecutive wins to start the 2026 NFL season, Wentz is coming out of the starting lineup to make way for Murray.

Though both will become UFAs after the season, it makes sense that Minnesota is still trusting its 29-year-old signal-caller, who may have an unexplored ceiling, over Wentz (33), who may provide a more stable floor but a lower ceiling. Nevertheless, the shakeup at QB prior to the Buccaneers‘ game sends waves across the league.

Vikings make QB change after low-scoring Week 2 win

Indeed, Wentz and the offense barely produced anything in the 9-3 win over the Bears in Week 2 and were mainly wheeled to victory by Brian Flores’ defense and kicker Will Reichard, along with Caleb Williams’ injury, whose latest update is even better than Chicago imagined.

Still, Wentz led a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 and looked better than Murray did, even though the latter left the season opener less than 10 minutes into the game. Thus, the Vikings’ decision to send Murray right under center came as a surprise to many.

It’s not completely out of the blue, but some expected Minnesota to be cautious as Murray returns from concussion protocol, especially as the Vikings will face a lackluster Buccaneers team, which Wentz and company may be able to take care of, giving Murray more time to recover. Even if he’s cleared the protocol, every extra day of rest could make a big difference.

Wentz and Murray’s stats in 2026

Through his two games played for the Vikings in 2026, Wentz completed 23 of 39 pass attempts (59%) for 276 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Wentz has been sacked six times while putting up a 106.4 passer rating.

As for Murray, his sample size is extremely small, but that doesn’t make it any less concerning. Murray has completed three of his five pass attempts (60%) for 18 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. His passer rating so far is 27.5.

The fact that Murray’s first pass in a Vikings uniform was picked off and he sustained a serious head injury on his third drive are all concerning factors that won’t magically disappear because the former first overall selection cleared the league’s concussion protocol.

Potential trap game for Murray

Although having Murray’s back against a disappointing defense in Tampa Bay might be viewed optimistically, it also means he will go head-to-head with 11 defenders holding on to pent-up frustration, and that’s one dangerous cocktail.

Key takeaways

• Kyler Murray cleared concussion protocol and will start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• Carson Wentz threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns across two games in relief.
• Minnesota achieved a 2-0 start for only the third time in ten seasons.

Murray’s Vikings debut lasted only part of the first quarter after he took a hard hit following a scramble. The quarterback was evaluated for a concussion and ultimately ruled out, forcing Carson Wentz to take over against Green Bay. Murray remained in the concussion protocol throughout the week despite returning to limited practice.

The absence is a significant one for Minnesota, especially after Murray was brought in to stabilize the quarterback position. The Vikings were able to rally behind Wentz and defeat the Packers 39-22, but they will now need their veteran backup to start again against a Bears team that opened the season with an explosive offensive performance.

Who is starting quarterback for Vikings vs Bears?

Carson Wentz will start at quarterback for the Vikings against the Bears. Head coach Kevin O’Connell officially announced the decision Friday, giving Wentz another opportunity after he stepped in for Murray during the Week 1 victory over Green Bay.

Wentz played an important role in that comeback, completing 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He will now make his 100th career NFL start, while J.J. McCarthy will serve as his backup against Chicago.

The Vikings are hopeful Murray can clear the concussion protocol early next week and return for Week 3, but the quarterback’s immediate focus is on completing the league’s required process. For now, Wentz gets another start as Minnesota tries to remain undefeated against the Bears.

Murray’s absence is therefore precautionary rather than an indication of a long-term injury. He made progress during the week and participated on a limited basis, but Minnesota ultimately decided that he had not progressed far enough through the concussion protocol to play Sunday.

Murray entered the NFL’s concussion protocol after taking a hard hit during his Vikings debut and was unable to return to the game. Although he provided some encouraging signs during the week and was able to participate on a limited basis in practice, Minnesota ultimately decided not to rush its new starting quarterback back onto the field.

The decision means Carson Wentz will get another opportunity to lead the Vikings’ offense after stepping in for Murray in Week 1. Wentz helped Minnesota complete a comeback victory over Green Bay, and he will now make his 100th career NFL start against Chicago.

Who will be starting quarterback for Vikings vs Bears?

Carson Wentz will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings against the Bears. The veteran took over after Murray’s concussion in Week 1 and delivered a strong performance, throwing three touchdown passes while helping Minnesota overcome a significant deficit against Green Bay.

Wentz’s experience gives the Vikings a proven option while Murray continues his recovery. Minnesota had taken a cautious approach throughout the week, relying on the medical staff to determine whether Murray was ready to advance through the concussion protocol rather than allowing the positive signs from his limited practices to dictate the decision.

J.J. McCarthy will serve as the Vikings’ backup quarterback against Chicago. McCarthy was initially expected to be part of the team’s quarterback picture this season, but Wentz’s performance after Murray’s injury now gives him the opportunity to lead the offense in a divisional matchup at Soldier Field.

For Murray, the focus now shifts toward completing the recovery process without taking unnecessary risks. His limited participation earlier in the week showed that there were positive developments, but the Vikings ultimately chose the cautious route and will give their starting quarterback more time before putting him back on the field.

The Vikings are taking a cautious approach with their starting quarterback and are allowing the medical staff to guide the process. Head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear that Minnesota is evaluating Murray one step at a time rather than making an early decision about whether he will be ready for Sunday’s game.

There is also some reason for optimism. Murray entered the season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback after winning the job, meaning he accumulated plenty of practice repetitions with the offense before the injury. That experience could be valuable if he is eventually cleared to return against Chicago.

Kevin O’Connell explains Kyler Murray’s progress

Kevin O’Connell was asked about Kyler Murray’s current status and explained that the quarterback remains in the concussion protocol. The Vikings coach emphasized that the medical team will continue to determine how the situation develops while the team evaluates Murray’s limited participation.

“He’s working through the protocol. We’ll see how he responds and continue to rely on the medical folks in that regard. The good thing is the amount of reps he got from competing and then being named the starter. He’s got a lot of reps logged away. We’re really taking it period by period as far as the plan we have, but we want to be monitoring how he’s doing from a standpoint of that limited participation. It’s a little bit more of a vague thing at the QB position just because they’re in red jerseys anyway. So, we’ll kind of just deal with it as it comes to us.”

That last point is particularly relevant because quarterback participation can be difficult to evaluate during a limited practice. With quarterbacks wearing non-contact jerseys, simply seeing Murray on the field does not necessarily reveal how close he is to being fully ready for game action.

For now, Minnesota is therefore taking a measured approach. Murray’s response to each practice session will matter, while the medical staff will ultimately determine whether he can advance through the concussion protocol.

Kyler Murray’s status for Vikings vs Bears

The Vikings still have several days to determine whether Kyler Murray can be cleared for Sunday. His limited participation has at least kept the possibility of a return open, but O’Connell’s comments show that Minnesota is not treating his practice appearance as confirmation that he will play.

The fact that Murray already has extensive repetitions with the starting offense could help the Vikings if he is cleared. He spent the offseason competing for the starting job and had already built familiarity with the offense and his teammates before the concussion interrupted his debut.

If Murray cannot return, Carson Wentz would remain the alternative after taking over against Green Bay. But for now, the Vikings are continuing to monitor their starting quarterback period by period and waiting to see how his body responds as he moves through the concussion protocol.

The Vikings quarterback was forced out of Sunday’s season opener after taking a hard hit to the head while running with the football. Murray was unable to return to the game, with Carson Wentz taking over and helping Minnesota finish the comeback victory over Green Bay.

Now, however, Murray has taken an important step in his recovery. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport explained that the quarterback’s limited participation means he still has a legitimate chance to be cleared in time for Sunday’s matchup against the Bears, assuming his progress continues.

Will Kyler Murray play for Vikings vs Bears?

Ian Rapoport emphasized that Kyler Murray’s availability will ultimately be determined by the NFL’s concussion protocol, but his return to the practice field is an encouraging development for the Vikings.

“As far as Kyler Murray goes, we will see if the Minnesota Vikings end up having their starting quarterback, but the fact that Murray was a limited participant in practice means, based on the NFL’s concussion protocol which will be the determining factor here, that he at least has a chance to play on Sunday if he continues to progress as he has been.”

That distinction is important because Murray still needs to complete the necessary steps before he can be cleared to play. The Vikings cannot simply decide to put him on the field if he has not received the required medical clearance, meaning the quarterback’s progress over the next few days will be crucial.

Still, Wednesday’s participation represents a meaningful development after Murray initially appeared likely to miss the matchup with the Bears. The Vikings have not ruled him out, and his status will continue to be monitored throughout the week.

Who is Vikings backup QB?

Kyler Murray’s potential return would be significant for Minnesota after he finally made his Vikings debut against Green Bay. His first game with the team ended after only 11 offensive snaps, leaving Carson Wentz to handle the remainder of the afternoon and giving the veteran quarterback valuable experience with the offense.

For now, Wentz remains the obvious alternative if Murray cannot complete the concussion protocol in time. But the fact that Murray was able to participate on a limited basis gives Minnesota another option heading into a difficult road matchup at Soldier Field.

“He came in feeling, you know, pretty good today. He is in the protocol so we’ll, you know, we’ll defer to the medical folks in that protocol for how the week goes,” the head coach said. “Just take it a day at a time.”

Next Sunday, the Vikings will face another important divisional matchup, traveling to Soldier Field to take on the Chicago Bears. If Murray is unable to play from the start, Carson Wentz will take over the reins of the team in the Windy City.

Wentz rose to the occasion

Carson Wentz stepped up big for Minnesota in their Week 1 victory over the Packers, coming off the bench early in the first quarter after Kyler Murray suffered a concussion. The 11-year veteran rallied the Vikings from a 12-point deficit to score 29 unanswered points in a 39–22 win, completing 12 of 19 passes for 133 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions (123.5 passer rating).

While he had a couple of shaky throws early on, Wentz quickly settled in under Kevin O’Connell, locking in with Justin Jefferson for two scores (plus a key two-point conversion) and finding T.J. Hockenson for another to keep the offense moving cleanly down the stretch.

Vikings look to keep rolling

Following their Week 2 trip to Chicago, the Vikings head to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Week 3. They return home to Minneapolis in Week 4 to host the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium, then travel to New Orleans for a Week 5 matchup against the Saints at the Caesars Superdome. After a Week 6 bye, Minnesota closes out this four-game stretch in Week 7 back at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Indianapolis Colts.

As a result of the injury, backup quarterback Carson Wentz has taken over against the Green Bay Packers. Even though he was initially deemed inactive, J.J. McCarthy could be next in line as he is the Vikings’ emergency quarterback. He can only step onto the field if something happens to Wentz.

Murray was able to walk off the field and head to the locker room. Although that’s an encouraging sign, it wasn’t enough to wave the victory flag and disregard a serious injury in the 2026 NFL‘s season-opener. After being evaluated for a concussion, the test results confirmed that fear.

“QB Kyler Murray has been ruled out with a concussion,” the Vikings announced through their official social media.

Vikings in trouble in Week 1

This is the reality of the NFL. Just one week into the season, it’s showing all of its true colors. Although the team always knew it was in for a challenging year, Minnesota waited months for football to be back, only to potentially lose its starting quarterback just one quarter into the season.

Fortunately for the Vikings, Wentz has plenty of experience under his belt and could provide a softer landing spot for them. It’s far from ideal, but they could be in an even worse position. The other option, McCarthy, is coming off a tumultuous year in 2025, and many believe his train has already left the station in the Twin Cities.

Murray’s rough start

Even before he got hurt in a very scary play, Murray’s start to his Vikings career was far from pretty. In fact, his first pass at U.S. Bank Stadium was picked off. In his injury-shortened debut in Minnesota, Murray only threw three passes for 18 yards and an interception before leaving the game. He’s now been ruled out. The bleak stat line will haunt the former No. 1 overall pick from 2019, but it’s all minuscule compared to the medical side of things.

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.

“The expectation is that Jaxson Dart and most of the Giants starters play Saturday vs. the Vikings,” ESPN‘s Jordan Raanan revealed on X. “Don’t think it will be for long but coach John Harbaugh said the other day he values first-team reps.”

ESPN insider Dan Graziano also addressed the situation surrounding newly acquired Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray: “Kyler Murray is going to start against the Giants.”

According to the Vikings’ official website, head coach Kevin O’Connell plans to use both Murray and J.J. McCarthy, while also leaving open the possibility of giving Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer some snaps during the preseason.

The expectations surrounding Jaxson Dart

Heading into his sophomore campaign in 2026, Jaxson Dart will look to build on a promising rookie season with the New York Giants and take a significant leap as a passer. In 2025, Dart completed 216 of 339 passes (63.7%) for 2,272 yards, throwing 15 touchdowns against just 5 interceptions for a solid 91.7 passer rating, while also adding 487 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on the ground across 14 games (12 starts).

To elevate his game, the young signal-caller aims to sharpen his deep-ball accuracy, improve efficiency from the pocket, and leverage his dual-threat abilities to establish himself as a true franchise quarterback. Dart shares the quarterback room with Jameis Winston and Brandon Allen.

Vikings’ interesting QB room

Minnesota boasts one of the most compelling quarterback situations in the NFL, featuring a deep blend of high-upside youth and proven veteran talent. Head coach Kevin O’Connell faces a massive fork in the road this offseason, with a big decision on starting QB job between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray that will define the franchise’s trajectory.

Adding to the intrigue, the Vikings also have experienced backup Carson Wentz to provide reliable insurance, alongside young depth piece Max Brosmer. Balancing top-tier starter potential with such seasoned depth gives Minnesota an enviable dilemma and plenty of drama heading into training camp.

The competition comes after Minnesota made a surprising decision to bring Murray to the organization following McCarthy’s disappointing first two NFL seasons. The former first-round pick has yet to establish himself as the franchise quarterback many expected, prompting the Vikings to create a true open competition instead of handing him the starting role.

There is also added pressure on O’Connell and the Vikings’ coaching staff. Minnesota moved on from quarterbacks such as Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, both of whom have gone on to find success as starters elsewhere. That reality has increased the scrutiny surrounding the Vikings’ quarterback evaluation process, leaving little room for another misstep.

Kevin O’Connell reveals Vikings’ QB plan

The first major decision has now been made. Rather than naming an early frontrunner, Kevin O’Connell confirmed that both quarterbacks will receive opportunities to work with the starting offense throughout training camp.

“I feel very good about our plan. Both, Kyler and JJ, will take reps with the first team. They’ll also take reps with the second group. I think that gives different layers to the evaluation as well. We want an elevator at the quarterback position. In many ways, doing that in this system is kind of a do-your-job mentality, which is running the show, throwing completions and just showing the ability to execute our offense with comfort.”

Who will be the Vikings’ starting quarterback?

At this stage, nobody knows. Kevin O’Connell’s decision to split first-team reps is a strong indication that the competition remains completely open. Neither Kyler Murray nor J.J. McCarthy has separated himself enough to earn the starting role outright, meaning every practice and preseason opportunity could prove decisive.

For now, there is no confirmed QB1 in Minnesota. The Vikings appear committed to letting the battle play out naturally, with the hope that one of the two quarterbacks emerges as the clear leader before Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.

Speculation intensified after both quarterbacks offered differing comments on their dynamic, with Kyler Murray addressing the QB competition with McCarthy. O’Connell firmly rejected talk of a rift, clarifying that the internal competition has been entirely professional.

“I want players who are smart, tough guys that love football,” O’Connell said, via ESPN. “Guys who — I don’t even want to say are great teammates — that need to attempt to be a great teammate. You need to repeat that time and time again because that process never stops.

“But it also doesn’t mean that everybody has to be smiling every day. When they speak to [reporters], I want them to be open. I want them to be honest, because I think it’s all part of having a transparent quarterback competition that allows these guys to truly demonstrate that they can consistently be the same guy every day and stack really good days. And when they do that, the team grows, and that’s what I ultimately care about — that position being an igniter of our team getting to what our ceiling may be for this year.”

Kyler Murray appears to be the QB1 frontrunner

Minnesota endured a turbulent 2025 campaign marked by a chaotic quarterback carousel. Nagging injuries consistently plagued the position, forcing the front office to aggressively reinforce the room this offseason

When the Cardinals moved on from Murray, the Vikings quickly secured the veteran on a cost-effective deal. The move was designed to push McCarthy while injecting immediate, proven talent into the offense.

Though management still views McCarthy as the franchise’s long-term future, Murray is the early favorite to start Week 1. His veteran experience makes him an ideal fit to maximize O’Connell’s explosive passing scheme.

A Murray start wouldn’t derail McCarthy’s development. However, if the veteran excels, an extended stay in Minnesota could significantly complicate the young quarterback’s clear path to the starting job.

Injuries remain a hurdle for McCarthy

Drafted in the first round in 2024, McCarthy was poised to contribute immediately and start for the Vikings before a severe knee injury sidelined him for his entire rookie season.

Subsequent setbacks in 2025—including ankle, hand, and concussion issues—have unfortunately fueled durability concerns among fans regarding his ability to remain reliably on the field.