An under-considered part of the QB decision
This ad came out the day Kyler was declared QB1. Made me wonder how many QB2s get endorsement deals, because I don't think this ad gets released that day if Kyler was not named QB1. And then how many endorsement opportunities dried up for McCarthy and his agent when the announcement was made.
All this to say there is a lot more going on here than just which QB is taking snaps against Green Bay in the opener. I believe the decision was the right one, but I do feel bad for the kid.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." —George Orwell
It just solidifies that this was done the day K1 signed. Not that anything like this needed to validate anything toward that, it was obvious. Everyone, including JJ, knew it. He’s a big boy, he’ll be fine. What’s the alternative? 😅 Time to hype Kyler, the NFL knows at minimum he’ll be entertaining. Beyond that, might be big fun.
I'm looking forward to what this offense could be with better qb play.
I like McCarthy too, disappointed he couldn't take a bigger step yet.
I HOPE that day is coming, but man his floor was lower than I ever imagined and the injuries were just a killer to his development.
Not much more to be said that we all haven't typed...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
I'm looking forward to what this offense could be with better qb play.
I like McCarthy too, disappointed he couldn't take a bigger step yet.
I HOPE that day is coming, but man his floor was lower than I ever imagined and the injuries were just a killer to his development.
Not much more to be said that we all haven't typed...
Yeah, I'm not so sure we are having the same discussion on his floor had he not been injured in that preseason Raiders game. He looked fantastic in that game, throwing darts all over the field. Yes, he was playing against a weaker team and second/third teams, but he also had his second/third teams he was running with. Yes, he threw a pick, but he looked far more confident in that huddle and behind his guys than he may have looked since. Missing a full year your first season is no joke and it's taken a massive toll on him physically and mentally. The expectation to immediately recover and perform to where he was prior to the injury was not realistic. Development takes time from college to the NFL and some are faster than others, even if they don't have injuries cutting their time short.
As for the ad, yeah, like Sticky said, this was already in motion the day Murray signed, joining his childhood team he rooted for was a perfect storyline and it will continue to be...
IceRatz16 wrote:
Yeah, I'm not so sure we are having the same discussion on his floor had he not been injured in that preseason Raiders game. He looked fantastic in that game, throwing darts all over the field. Yes, he was playing against a weaker team and second/third teams, but he also had his second/third teams he was running with. Yes, he threw a pick, but he looked far more confident in that huddle and behind his guys than he may have looked since. Missing a full year your first season is no joke and it's taken a massive toll on him physically and mentally. The expectation to immediately recover and perform to where he was prior to the injury was not realistic. Development takes time from college to the NFL and some are faster than others, even if they don't have injuries cutting their time short.
As for the ad, yeah, like Sticky said, this was already in motion the day Murray signed, joining his childhood team he rooted for was a perfect storyline and it will continue to be...
He did look great in that Raiders game, and there's really no question that losing that entire rookie season did a lot of damage to his development (as well as his emotional well-being). Then 3 more injuries the following season did him no favors.
It's part of the reason I haven't yet given up on McCarthy entirely. I know some have—some think he's just not at NFL QB and never will be, and they may be right. But given his early career history, I'd want to give him a little more time to see if he can settle in. It's not like we don't have examples of QBs who started poorly and turned things around (Brees, Darnold, etc). It's almost always with a new team, but it doesn't have to be.
The tools are there if he can speed up his processing and think less.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." —George Orwell
IceRatz16 wrote:
Yeah, I'm not so sure we are having the same discussion on his floor had he not been injured in that preseason Raiders game. He looked fantastic in that game, throwing darts all over the field. Yes, he was playing against a weaker team and second/third teams, but he also had his second/third teams he was running with. Yes, he threw a pick, but he looked far more confident in that huddle and behind his guys than he may have looked since. Missing a full year your first season is no joke and it's taken a massive toll on him physically and mentally. The expectation to immediately recover and perform to where he was prior to the injury was not realistic. Development takes time from college to the NFL and some are faster than others, even if they don't have injuries cutting their time short.
As for the ad, yeah, like Sticky said, this was already in motion the day Murray signed, joining his childhood team he rooted for was a perfect storyline and it will continue to be...
Of course it was done earlier. But if JJ is named QB1 on Tuesday, this ad likely doesn't see the light of day.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." —George Orwell
IceRatz16 wrote:
Yeah, I'm not so sure we are having the same discussion on his floor had he not been injured in that preseason Raiders game. He looked fantastic in that game, throwing darts all over the field. Yes, he was playing against a weaker team and second/third teams, but he also had his second/third teams he was running with. Yes, he threw a pick, but he looked far more confident in that huddle and behind his guys than he may have looked since. Missing a full year your first season is no joke and it's taken a massive toll on him physically and mentally. The expectation to immediately recover and perform to where he was prior to the injury was not realistic. Development takes time from college to the NFL and some are faster than others, even if they don't have injuries cutting their time short.
As for the ad, yeah, like Sticky said, this was already in motion the day Murray signed, joining his childhood team he rooted for was a perfect storyline and it will continue to be...
I was shocked the day after that Raider game hearing about the meniscus...I was there at USB and remember posting here afterwards that he looked great. I was psyched, we got our guy!!
I dont think there is a big argument that can be made from that one game about his floor vs the other data points we have in hand.
We may never agree on that and thats cool by me.
I gotta move on and hope the football gods are good to us fans going forward.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
StickierBuns wrote:
It just solidifies that this was done the day K1 signed. Not that anything like this needed to validate anything toward that, it was obvious. Everyone, including JJ, knew it. He’s a big boy, he’ll be fine. What’s the alternative? 😅 Time to hype Kyler, the NFL knows at minimum he’ll be entertaining. Beyond that, might be big fun.
I said this in another thread. We all know I really back JJ, but Kyler will give us some fun highs. He is talented, question how he leads. To be honest, I am beyond happy for it to be over. Kyler is the guy, MB never wavered and I disrespected him some. It was my bad, but I let my love for the kid cloud what was best for this year. It became clear in TC that he simply was not ahead of Murray and Kyler did earn it. I am looking forward to a fun season, but I needed to get that out.
Not saying his career is over, because I believe he goes on to win a SB. Yeah, I said it. He has some maturing to do mentally. I just believe what kind of QB he will become at the age 25. We have to keep him, it really helps he has made it clear, to even the talking heads now, that he will stay with the Vikings. That is a good step to understanding you aren't bigger than the team. I think he knows he is in the perfect position for his future.
MaroonBells wrote:
He did look great in that Raiders game, and there's really no question that losing that entire rookie season did a lot of damage to his development (as well as his emotional well-being). Then 3 more injuries the following season did him no favors.
This. So much this.
Let’s get real about Sam Darnold…
— The Right Time with Bomani Jones (@righttimebomani) August 13, 2026
“I would much rather have Kyler Murray be my quarterback than Sam Darnold.” pic.twitter.com/eQjZZcIxxX
StickierBuns wrote:
https://x.com/righttimebomani/status/2087948037268049979?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ
I agree with this. I would rather have Murray as well. Sam doesn't have a ring without that defense. We have to be honest with each other.
StickierBuns wrote:
https://x.com/righttimebomani/status/2087948037268049979?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ
Uncle Sammy landed in the right spot, first with the Vikings and then Seattle. Solid defense and now a HC in McDonald who isn't afraid to take the ball out of his hands when he's having one of his mindfart turnover attacks. I suspect the Seahawks will make another SB run this year.
All that said, Kyler has more raw ability, speed etc. Sammy has the bigger arm. If he could process faster than a 286 IBM PC circa 1986 I'd call it even.
comet52 wrote:
Uncle Sammy landed in the right spot, first with the Vikings and then Seattle. Solid defense and now a HC in McDonald who isn't afraid to take the ball out of his hands when he's having one of his mindfart turnover attacks. I suspect the Seahawks will make another SB run this year.
All that said, Kyler has more raw ability, speed etc. Sammy has the bigger arm. If he could process faster than a 286 IBM PC circa 1986 I'd call it even.
Darnold also had Walker in SEA, thats huge.
Sam wowed the hell out of me in 24, except those last 2 games.
I was wowed by his arm, accuracy and his experience with a talent like JJ. Whether it was anticipatory throws or just putting it up there trusting 18 would come down with it...Brass balls on the guy and I admired him for it.
Circa 1998 Randall Cunningham...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
StickierBuns wrote:
https://x.com/righttimebomani/status/2087948037268049979?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ
I said this way back before we even signed Kyler. Sam probably has more arm talent, but it's close. Murray is the better field general IMO. And even though Sam is a very underrated runner, he's not on Kyler's level.
There's a lot of periphery, a lot of baggage, when it comes to Kyler. But if that stuff is overstated (and I think it is), Murray's the better QB for a standard NFL West Coast offense.
For our offense, at least our offense as we knew it the last 4 years, Sam has a stronger argument. But we'll see what tweaks KOC makes and how they jive with the new QB.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." —George Orwell
I’d prefer Sam to Murray this year just based on his familiarity with our offense and players but otherwise I’d rate them about equal. I think Kyler is gonna have a big year and I bet Darnold would too.
MaroonBells wrote:
I said this way back before we even signed Kyler. Sam probably has more arm talent, but it's close. Murray is the better field general IMO. And even though Sam is a very underrated runner, he's not on Kyler's level.
There's a lot of periphery, a lot of baggage, when it comes to Kyler. But if that stuff is overstated (and I think it is), Murray's the better QB for a standard NFL West Coast offense.
For our offense, at least our offense as we knew it the last 4 years, Sam has a stronger argument. But we'll see what tweaks KOC makes and how they jive with the new QB.
Not many are on his level.
As for the field general, that is what I want to see for myself. That is my last thing about him. I want to see him lead on the field. I have a feeling, now that it is over, that Kyler could bring us a very fun year.
StickierBuns wrote:
https://x.com/righttimebomani/status/2087948037268049979?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ
No fking way. Murray can’t stay on the field and when he can he’s 2 feet shorter then his OL.
I don't get the Darnold/murray comparison.
They're respective games, skillsets, resumes, abilities, size........What translates besides they both play the same position?
I'll take Darnold. His downfield deep accuracy is excellent and fits KOC's offense. The last two games meltdown always comes up, but nobody brings up the atrociously poor protection he had in both those games. I don't think any QB would have done much better. He is a franchise QB and the Vikings let him walk.
I don't know what Murray is. We shall soon find out.
MaroonBells wrote:
View embedded contentThis ad came out the day Kyler was declared QB1. Made me wonder how many QB2s get endorsement deals, because I don't think this ad gets released that day if Kyler was not named QB1. And then how many endorsement opportunities dried up for McCarthy and his agent when the announcement was made. All this to say there is a lot more going on here than just which QB is taking snaps against Green Bay in the opener. I believe the decision was the right one, but I do feel bad for the kid.
For a guy who hasn’t played one real snap for the Vikings and was reportedly hated by numerous former teammates….Id really rather he just keep quiet and prove doubters wrong with his play.
Cringy stuff
CFIAvike wrote:
For a guy who hasn’t played one real snap for the Vikings and was reportedly hated by numerous former teammates….Id really rather he just keep quiet and prove doubters wrong with his play.
Cringy stuff
Wow, you really hate this guy, don't you?
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." —George Orwell
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