Steve Smith Blasts Both Vikings Quarterbacks
Minnesota Vikings fans are optimistic that between two quarterbacks — Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy — the franchise will be in good hands this season and beyond. But don’t tell that to Steve Smith, who ripped both men last week, as the organized team activities (OTAs) got underway.
Smith panned McCarthy’s overall skill set and poked fun at Murray’s video game hobby.
Smith’s Comments Turn Up the Heat on Vikings QB Room
Smith Isn’t Shy about Murray and McCarthy
Smith took on the Vikings’ quarterback situation from his perspective of how wide receiver Justin Jefferson should feel.
“Justin Jefferson probably needs to read that book that A.J. Brown was using on the sideline. I don’t see a chance. Do you know who can beat J.J. McCarthy? Anybody with a heartbeat,” Smith said on ESPN’s Get Up.
“And Kyler Murray, good luck. I hope things improve for him. I hope he stays off the Call of Duty and starts getting to his playbook.”
The Vikings also have Carson Wentz at quarterback on their depth chart, but he escaped Smith’s scorn.
The McCarthy Slander
Neither competitor is new criticism. The first knock on McCarthy, not expressly mentioned by Smith, is durability. McCarthy began his career in 2024 by missing all 17 games due to a torn meniscus. The situation gave rise to Sam Darnold’s reclamation story and the now-infamous lore in Vikings history of letting Darnold walk in 2025 free agency. It also set into motion a spree of injuries for McCarthy, even after he recovered.
The young passer has 24 missed games due to a torn meniscus, a high ankle sprain, a concussion, and a broken bone in his throwing hand. All told, McCarthy has been on the sidelines for 73% of all eligible games.
Aside from health, McCarthy was not consistent as a first-year starter. He often struggled with the basic mechanics of the quarterback position and would go from high highs to low lows. For example, operating the offense in a basic sense would be challenging for the Michigan alumnus in Quarters 1, 2, and 3, and then somehow, with a game on the line, he’d turn into John Elway in the 4th Quarter.
Of course, all of this occurred in just two seasons, and McCarthy is 23 years old. He has time to mature and develop like thousands of quarterbacks before him. Stay tuned.
The Murray Slander
A significant perception problem has long plagued Murray: his video game habits. Many fans and media outlets perceive Murray as more dedicated to gaming than football, or at least lacking the singular commitment of other top quarterbacks. Smith’s recent comments certainly reinforced this narrative.
The root of this perception lies in the infamous “study clause” in Murray’s Cardinals extension four years ago. Arizona controversially inserted language into the deal that demanded an independent film study. That immediately drew widespread criticism, appearing both peculiar and, frankly, awkward. While the Cardinals ultimately rescinded the clause, the damage to Murray’s reputation was already done.
That’s the reputation he must now shed in Minnesota. Beyond simply playing well, Murray must unequivocally demonstrate that football is his singular focus. Coming off a 9-8 season, the Vikings will expect him to elevate them to playoff contention. Securing a postseason win or two would be a substantial boost for the entire organization, including the head coach, who could be on the hot seat if a losing season emerged.
Adding another layer to his motivation is his contentious departure from Arizona. His effective ousting by the Cardinals — a franchise not exactly renowned for stellar ownership or astute roster decisions — in favor of Jacoby Brissett and rookie Carson Beck is, frankly, embarrassing.
It’s also strange that Arizona is still contributing to Murray’s salary while he plays for Minnesota, which enabled the Vikings to acquire him for a mere $1.3 million on his March contract.
Murray can simultaneously exact revenge on Arizona, completely reset his reputation, and rewrite the next chapter of his career — all within a single season. A year featuring 30 touchdowns and over 3,500 passing yards would likely re-establish him in the $50 million-per-year quarterback market by 2027, whether that payday comes from Minnesota or another team.
Conversely, a 7-10 season or worse, compounded by further injuries and questions about his leadership, would send his career down a drastically different path. It would relegate this Vikings chapter to merely another “prove-it” stop.
Murray as the Vivid Early Frontrunner
When the first week of OTAs wound down, one angle became clear; it’s Murray’s job to lose. He sounded like the veteran frontrunner and looked the part on the field.
McCarthy can still score the upset, but it might take a minor or major injury to tip the scales. Murray has the experience, arm strength, passing accuracy, and speed to tout. There’s a reason Murray was drafted first overall in 2019, and McCarthy slid to 10th for the Vikings in 2024. Murray has more tools, even if McCarthy is five inches taller.
The battle kicks off in about eight weeks at training camp in Eagan.
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