The Detroit Lions missed the playoffs last season and look to change that in 2026. The easiest way to get that done is to handle business in the division. The Minnesota Vikings were the other team in the NFC North that didn't make the playoffs in 2025, and their QB play played a role in that.
J.J. McCarthy was shaky last season, which led them to add Kyler Murray in free agency. The Vikings will have a QB competition between the two, but based on the comments each man made on Wednesday, these two view the situation in a different light. And that could end up having a positive impact on the Lions.
Lions must love how Vikings QB battle is unfolding
Murray said his relationship with McCarthy has been great, and he's willing to give him any knowledge that he needs. He also stated that McCarthy is always asking questions. Yet when McCarthy spoke with the media, his tune was different.
"It’s like two guys in a classroom. He sits on one side, and I sit on the other side. It’s the coaches’ responsibility to teach us and coach us,” McCarthy said.
He was then asked if there was awkwardness, and responded by saying it's like when you're in high school and on the other side of the room from the person.
Based on how both guys described the relationship, it shows they are two different pages. From Murray's perspective, he's the favorite to win the battle and knows it's his job to lose. That can't make McCarthy feel comfortable. The team clearly didn't think the Michigan product earned the starting job in 2026, and you can't blame them.
In 10 games, McCarthy completed 57.6 percent of throws for 1,632 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. In his lone start against Detroit, McCarthy went 14-of-25 for 143 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and an interception. Despite falling 27-24 in that outing, the Lions didn't come out that game fearful of what McCarthy could do to them in the future.
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With that clearly being a sentiment around the league, McCarthy has a chip on his shoulder. The fact that his statement was different from Murray's shows how things could unfold in the coming weeks. McCarthy isn't going into this as best friends with Murray, and with this out there, it will only add another layer to this QB battle.
Having extra storylines around your team, especially at quarterback, isn't what teams want. The quieter things are on the outside, the better. Yet that likely won't be the case for Detroit's rival. The Lions are looking to rebound in 2026, so anytime there's noise around one of the teams inside their division, it has to be considered a bonus. And that's what happened here. Meanwhile, the Lions don't have any drama around their roster, which is how you want things.
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