EAGAN, Minn. — It was business as usual Tuesday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, except for one big difference in title for veteran newcomer Kyler Murray: Vikings starting quarterback.

Minnesota resumed training camp after a day off and with Head Coach Kevin O'Connell ending the QB competition by naming the 29-year-old Murray the starter over 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy.

Both players embraced the competition for 10 practice days. Murray spoke after practice about his new opportunity (McCarthy is scheduled to speak Wednesday).

"It feels good. Obviously, any competitor, you play this game, you want a chance to lead the guys on Sunday and have an opportunity to go win," Murray told media members. "And whatever that calls for me to do on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays — whatever it is, I take this job with great pride. There's been a lot of great quarterback play here in the past, and I just hope to continue to carry on that tradition."

The decision let Murray work exclusively with the first team for the first time as a Viking, and McCarthy worked with the second offense. Quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also saw action Tuesday.

Here are three observations from the 11^th practice — and first with the offense wearing white jerseys. Also, the first of a game week, as Minnesota prepares to start its preseason slate Saturday at the New York Giants.

1. Stacking positives

Murray and the offense ended the session against a scout defense to flesh out specifics for the weekend. It was an imperative period, of course, but felt a little different than Murray facing a Brian Flores-coached group.

In an earlier part of practice against the second defense, Murray stacked five consecutive completions — the most notable, a curl route high-pointed by Justin Jefferson in the left-middle of the field for 20 yards.

Murray stayed hot in the subsequent 7-on-7 period against the first defense, nailing back-to-back corner routes to Jordan Addison to the right side; Addison framed Murray's first pass low and near the sideline, nicely, and then Murray delivered the second with a whip of his hips when he was outside of the pocket.

McCarthy had several sharp throws in both periods, as well.

He connected with Jeshaun Jones for about 20 over the middle in 11-on-11 and found Myles Price far up the right sideline in 7-on-7 after the speedy return man jammed the gas and left his coverage panicking.

2. Filling the gap

Minnesota was in good shape Tuesday with Addison plenty involved (like he was Sunday night) after a thumb injury last week, and Jay Ward back to fully participating. Ward wore a red, no-contact jersey on Sunday as he advanced through concussion protocol.

Everyone on the roster was a go except for right guard Will Fries.

Without Fries, here's how the starting five (from left to right) looked in front of Murray: Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Joe Huber and Brian O'Neill. The italicized player there, Huber, was a UDFA rookie last season, but he's not a novice; he played in 12 games and started one as a rookie.

The line got by without Fries, setting up some good-sized holes for Aaron Jones, Sr., and Jordan Mason.

In addition to being a backup guard for the Vikings, Huber drilled some at center during the spring.

3. E-Wil & Prez

Blake Cashman was the star of Sunday's night practice at TCO Stadium, but two other buddies in the inside linebackers room — Eric Wilson and Jamal Adams — stole the show Tuesday.

Wilson screamed in front of McCarthy's final pass, intended for Dontae Fleming, for an interception in the first 11-on-11 period. He looked like a safety in coverage, which is ironic because Adams, a former safety, looked like a genuine linebacker later when he blitzed through the middle of the offensive line and would have popped running back Demond Claiborne for a big loss.

Considering Cashman has been ubiquitous throughout camp, the playmaking potential for Wilson and Adams is indicating a group that could be quite a strength for Minnesota's defense.

Visit 2026 Vikings Training Camp.

See the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.