Why A. Peterson is Right About QB Comp
Why Adrian Peterson Is Right About Vikings' QB Competition
The Vikings’ legend knows a thing or two about quarterbacks.
The main goal for the Vikings in 2026 is simple: avoid letting poor quarterback play drag down a talented roster. J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray are currently engaged in a training camp battle to determine a winner who will help with that goal.
If there is any former Viking who could speak to the urgency this brings, it’s Adrian Peterson. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee was recently interviewed by RotoGrinders’ Kyle Odegard, where the two discussed several topics, most notably the Vikings’ QB battle.
Peterson, who was recently named to the Vikings Ring of Honor, did not hold back from making his opinions known.
“In my eyes, based on what I’ve seen from J.J., it would definitely be a surprise," Peterson said. "That’s not to take anything away from J.J. I feel like he’s still a young quarterback. He’s only been around two or three years, and he was injured the first year. But I feel like he has a lot of growing to do.”
Peterson's criticism of McCarthy was followed by praise for Murray.
Great agility as a quarterback and has an incredible arm. And a guy that can keep a play alive. I thought it would be a really good fit for Minnesota with the talent they have. He really could be a game-changer for them.
Adrian Peterson on Kyler Murray
Although Peterson won't have a say in the Vikings' final decision, it's safe to say that the former running back's opinion isn't baseless—it's outright correct.
Adrian Peterson's familiarity with inconsistent QB play makes his opinion valid
Peterson knows a thing or two about inconsistent QB play, having played with 13 different starters over his 10 seasons in purple. This inconsistency meant that Peterson would end his career with only a single playoff win, coming against Dallas in 2009 with Brett Favre under center.
Now the team and fanbase must worry if current star Justin Jefferson will meet a similar or worse fate.
Of particular note is Peterson’s time with Christian Ponder, the most comparable QB to McCarthy from his tenure with the team. The stories have strangely similar starts: the team drafts a young QB higher than projected and brings in a journeyman vet to bridge the gap until the young gun is ready.
For Ponder, it was Donovan McNabb. For McCarthy, it was Sam Darnold.
Ponder eventually took over as a rookie in 2011 after McNabb struggled to find his footing, while McCarthy missed his entire rookie season before stepping in as the starter after Darnold’s departure in 2025. Both QB’s were surrounded by strong offensive talent but could never find consistency. The Vikings would eventually move on from Ponder as their starter during his third season in 2013, but the damage was done.
The team hit a reset at the QB position by drafting Teddy Bridgewater with the last pick of the first round in 2014, closing the book on Ponder’s chances to be the franchise quarterback they had hoped for.
The signing of Murray this past March indicates the Vikings have zero intentions of letting this happen again. While McCarthy is getting a real chance to earn the job, the team has repeatedly emphasized the need for strong QB play, regardless of who it’s from. Peterson clearly thinks Murray has the upside to make that happen.
If he’s right, the 2026 Vikings should avoid the disappointing outcomes many of Peterson’s teams faced through his career.
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
greediron wrote:
Sorry, but only if a broken clock can be right twice a day. AP isn't exactly the rocket scientist type.
Poor SOB had to play with Ponder...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
greediron wrote:
Sorry, but only if a broken clock can be right twice a day. AP isn't exactly the rocket scientist type.
Hey, I'm just sharing it. I didn't write it! 😂
LIVE WELL ~ LOVE MUCH ~ LAUGH OFTEN
greediron wrote:
And McNabb
It gets way worse. Peterson was the entire team for several years. Look at this list of QB's he had during his 2007-2016 career
Kelly Holcomb (2007) | ||
Brooks Bollinger (2006-2007) | ||
Brett Favre (2009-2010) | ||
Tarvaris Jackson (2006-2010) | ||
Joe Webb (2010-2013) | ||
Christian Ponder (2011-2014) | ||
Donovan McNabb (2011) | ||
Matt Cassel (2013-2014) | ||
Josh Freeman (2013) | ||
Teddy Bridgewater (2014-2017) | ||
Sam Bradford (2016-2017) | ||
Shaun Hill (2005, 2015-2016) |
SurfnRide wrote:
It gets way worse. Peterson was the entire team for several years. Look at this list of QB's he had during his 2007-2016 career
Kelly Holcomb (2007)
Brooks Bollinger (2006-2007)
Brett Favre (2009-2010)
Tarvaris Jackson (2006-2010)
Joe Webb (2010-2013)
Christian Ponder (2011-2014)
Donovan McNabb (2011)
Matt Cassel (2013-2014)
Josh Freeman (2013)
Teddy Bridgewater (2014-2017)
Sam Bradford (2016-2017)
Shaun Hill (2005, 2015-2016)
Man, Ponder flamed out fast...Thats a dreary viking list vs say gb?
Favre
Rogers
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Poor SOB had to play with Ponder...
McCarthy sat out his entire true 2024 rookie year with a knee injury, he made 10 starts during his first actual season on the field in 2025. Both Ponder & JJ struggled heavily with turnovers and efficiency as young starters, but Ponder edges McCarthy out in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating.
It looks like Ponder was actually a little better than JJ!!
EllerVikes wrote:
McCarthy sat out his entire true 2024 rookie year with a knee injury, he made 10 starts during his first actual season on the field in 2025. Both Ponder & JJ struggled heavily with turnovers and efficiency as young starters, but Ponder edges McCarthy out in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating.
It looks like Ponder was actually a little better than JJ!!
He was. And that offers a little context to our current situation. We've seen a dozen QBs who ultimately failed have very good moments. They just couldn't be consistent. I'll copy this from a previous post:
Zach Wilson once beat Houston 30-6 and threw for 300 yards, with 2 TDs, a 77% completion percentage and a 117 passer rating. Marcus Mariota threw 4 TDs in his debut and earned a perfect 158.3 passer rating. In his 2nd season Mitch Trubisky once threw for 354 yards and a whopping SIX TD passes. Blake Bortles once threw for 376 yards and 4 TDs. Against the Packers, Christian Ponder threw for 3 TDs and earned a 142 passer rating.
All of these QBs were busts. We've seen some good moments from JJ—a good pass here, a great drive there, some wins, some encouraging moments—but nothing even close to the above.
"Among Viking fans, optimism is an act of defiance." MaroonBells
What drove me nuts as a fan with Ponder was just how quickly he gave up on the play, tucked it and ran...
I suppose the guy was seeing ghosts with that OL in front of him too.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
EllerVikes wrote:
McCarthy sat out his entire true 2024 rookie year with a knee injury, he made 10 starts during his first actual season on the field in 2025. Both Ponder & JJ struggled heavily with turnovers and efficiency as young starters, but Ponder edges McCarthy out in passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating.
It looks like Ponder was actually a little better than JJ!!
Ponder get destroyed by the dumpster fire that was the Frazier era. He had a good rapport with Percy, but Harvin was traded (after Spielman insisted he wouldn't be), and was the inital victim of our junk o-line years....just ask his right arm after the 2012 season.
His constant clobbering was its own news item for awhile, it was godawful to watch...and it was also the prologue of what was coming for our QBs.
JJ needs to keep the camp performances very close at the very least, which has shown in the percentages that I've seen. K1 seems to have more highlights, but as the sports media is suddently treating him like our obvious MVP, I have skepticism.
Getting close to Vikings Football time...!!!
Zanary wrote:
Ponder get destroyed by the dumpster fire that was the Frazier era. He had a good rapport with Percy, but Harvin was traded (after Spielman insisted he wouldn't be), and was the inital victim of our junk o-line years....just ask his right arm after the 2012 season.
His constant clobbering was its own news item for awhile, it was godawful to watch...and it was also the prologue of what was coming for our QBs.
JJ needs to keep the camp performances very close at the very least, which has shown in the percentages that I've seen. K1 seems to have more highlights, but as the sports media is suddently treating him like our obvious MVP, I have skepticism.
Those were tough years...
Z, respect your takes...I really think this QB comp is over for all practical purposes.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
What drove me nuts as a fan with Ponder was just how quickly he gave up on the play, tucked it and ran...
I suppose the guy was seeing ghosts with that OL in front of him too.
Exactly. A huge factor for young QBs, can they keep their eyes downfield
purplefaithful wrote:
Those were tough years...
Z, respect your takes...I really think this QB comp is over for all practical purposes.
I'm of the fairly common opinion that, given both their injury histories, it's VERY likely that the one starting the season won't be the one closing it.
Getting close to Vikings Football time...!!!
Zanary wrote:
I'm of the fairly common opinion that, given both their injury histories, it's VERY likely that the one starting the season won't be the one closing it.
Sure thats a fair take...Hopefully not the case though.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
MaroonBells wrote:
He was. And that offers a little context to our current situation. We've seen a dozen QBs who ultimately failed have very good moments. They just couldn't be consistent. I'll copy this from a previous post:
Zach Wilson once beat Houston 30-6 and threw for 300 yards, with 2 TDs, a 77% completion percentage and a 117 passer rating. Marcus Mariota threw 4 TDs in his debut and earned a perfect 158.3 passer rating. In his 2nd season Mitch Trubisky once threw for 354 yards and a whopping SIX TD passes. Blake Bortles once threw for 376 yards and 4 TDs. Against the Packers, Christian Ponder threw for 3 TDs and earned a 142 passer rating.
All of these QBs were busts. We've seen some good moments from JJ—a good pass here, a great drive there, some wins, some encouraging moments—but nothing even close to the above.
Oh really? JJ McCarthy was the first QB in NFL history to have 3 games with multiple TD passes AND a rushing TD in his first 10 starts.
He also had 265 total yards, 3 TDs, a 62.5 completion percentage with a QB Rating of 108 and a QBR of 84.9 (highest you can get is a 100) in his win over Dallas.
The week prior we destroyed Washington 31-0 and he had 182 total yards (on 23 pass attempts), 3 TD passes, 69.6 completing percentage for a 129 QB Rating and QBR of 76. Vikings scored a TD or FG on 5 of 6 drives if you discount the kneel down at half and the final possession when we burned out the clock.
He's had some strong games and a couple where he showed some clutch factor in close wins or comebacks. Was he consistent? No. Should we expect that from a first time starter? No.
We posted his stats in his first 10 starts to those of Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Penix, and Bo Nix. It didn't look much different. He was actually most comparable to Maye if that makes anyone feel better or worse. We can dredge them up again if anyone needs a look.
I like the kid, his physical tools, and leadership. His teammates love him too. Biggest thing I see right now is it seems like the game is too fast for him. Don't know if he's thinking too much (can be fixed with experience) or he just doesn't process fast enough (can't be fixed in the NFL, you either got it or you don't)... still hopeful he'll end up being a franchise QB for us.
MAD GAINZ wrote:
still hopeful he'll end up being a franchise QB for us.
Me too...
I personally find it easy to root for the kid. On the flip side I dont want the franchise to spend a top 10 pick on someone that didnt pan out. Those mistakes can haunt for years.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
Me too...
I personally find it easy to root for the kid. On the flip side I dont want the franchise to spend a top 10 pick on someone that didnt pan out. Those mistakes can haunt for years.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
JustInTime wrote:
Many of us said right after that 24 draft: McCarthy and Turner will set the trajectory for this franchise for a long time.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)
Warn Poster
Suspend User (3 days)
The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.