The Green Bay Packers officially know which quarterback they'll be facing off against during Week 1 of the 2026-27 NFL season.
Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Minnesota Vikings have officially named Kyler Murray as the starting quarterback for the team. Coach Kevin O'Connell later confirmed the news and praised Murray's ceiling with the team's offense.
"There's comfort from Kyler in the scheme," O'Connell said (via KARE 11). "He had some really high completion days where he was able to show some really, really good understanding of just putting the ball in play, playing with great timing and rhythm."
"As you continue to look at the body of work really through those 10 days, what jumped out is what could be."
Murray beats out 2024 first-round J.J. McCarthy, a not-so-surprising move, but one that still is going to draw some controversy. McCarthy was selected 10th in the 2024 NFL Draft, but missed his rookie season after tearing his meniscus.
In 2025, McCarthy had an up-and-down year, throwing for just 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also only played 10 games due to a high ankle sprain he suffered during the middle of the season.
Kyler Murray presents an interesting challenge for Packers defense
As for what this means for the Packers, they'll be going up against a quarterback they've had some history against. Before he was with the Vikings, Murray was the star quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. Drafted first overall in 2019, Murray had some highs with the team, but his tenure with the Cardinals was mired by poor stretches as well.
Murray played twice against the Packers in his career. The first time was in 2021, during an electric Thursday Night Football game in Arizona, in which the Packers won 24-21 thanks to an interception by Rasul Douglas in the end zone during the final seconds of the game.
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In 2024, the Packers once again beat the Cardinals 34-13 at Lambeau Field, where Murray only threw for one touchdown. Last year, Murray didn't play in the Packers' victory over the Cardinals.
Although Murray is viewed now as a more inconsistent player, he still is quite the threat on the field. He is a dynamic runner on the field and uses his 5-foot-10 inch frame to maneuver around the field quickly.
Throughout his career, he's thrown 121 touchdowns to just 60 interceptions and has also rushed for 32 touchdowns.
With players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson getting the ball from him now, the Week 1 game against the Vikings doesn't look as reassuring as some fans may have thought at the beginning of the offseason.
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