All articles tagged with #qb competition
Kyler Murray says splitting reps while learning Kevin O'Connell's offense is the toughest part of adjusting to the Vikings, as he competes with JJ McCarthy for the starting job; he emphasizes the learning phase over results, acknowledging early mistakes and interceptions during OTAs while trying to balance accuracy and progression.
ESPN’s minicamp preview centers on Minnesota’s unsettled quarterback room as Kyler Murray presses J.J. McCarthy; Murray has looked sharp in OTAs while the Vikings aim to let McCarthy progress toward a serious training-camp challenge, keeping the team in the championship conversation despite QB uncertainty.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy says he’s laser-focused on the next rep in the team’s QB competition with Kyler Murray, noting that how reps are distributed is out of his control and that the immediate task matters more than the bigger picture. He also expressed love for the organization, the coaching staff, and the players, and said he believes he can thrive in the system regardless of whether Murray remains the starter.
In the Dolphins’ third mandatory minicamp, the offense showed strong red-zone execution with four TD passes (Willis three, Ewers one). Several players were limited or absent due to injury, Jalen Reagor joined team periods for the first time, and the team heads into the final offseason week with ongoing quarterback competition and notable practice highlights.
In the Browns’ OTA kickoff, Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders split reps in alternating periods as head coach Todd Monken said nothing has changed in the QB competition—players will be rotated to play the best one, with the goal of naming a No. 1 by the end of spring, though that outcome isn’t guaranteed.
During Falcons offseason practices, quarterback Michael Penix is limited by a torn ACL, while head coach Kevin Stefanski stresses a deliberately intentional QB competition—rotating first reps and drills to bring out the best in each signal-caller. It remains uncertain when Penix will participate in full-team drills, with the full head-to-head competition expected to unfold once he is cleared, potentially against Tua Tagovailoa.
The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback race centers on Deshaun Watson holding an early edge over Shedeur Sanders after minicamp, with coach Todd Monken continuing a two-spotting rotation and helmet-cam practices to give reps. The team drafted Taylen Green in 2026 and plans to keep Dillon Gabriel, while owner Jimmy Haslam signals openness to a fresh start. Sanders must impress in training camp to catch Watson, whose veteran experience and past elite production contrast with a more injury-plagued tenure in Cleveland.
The Steelers drafted Penn State QB Drew Allar in the third round and immediately cast him into a high-stakes competition with Will Howard, under coach Mike McCarthy’s bid to develop a franchise quarterback; Allar brings size and arm strength but needs refinement, while Howard offers leadership and proven intangibles, with the race set to unfold through camps, preseason, and beyond as the team searches for its next QB.
New Iowa State quarterback Jaylen Raynor, formerly of Arkansas State, is introducing himself to the Cyclones by memorizing teammates' names and building relationships as he competes for the starting job this spring with Zane Flores and Connor Moberly; coach Keith Heckendorf praises his leadership, consistency, and effort to elevate the entire squad as they aim to maximize the offense.
Berry’s comments lay out a 2026 QB competition: Deshaun Watson remains on the roster, while Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel will compete and outside options will be considered. Because of Watson’s contract, Cleveland won’t cut or trade him in 2026, instead exploring a restructure to enable a 2027 release while keeping updates through July.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Browns GM Andrew Berry said it’s too early to name a Week 1 starter, keeping an open competition between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson while weighing external QBs like Malik Williams and Ty Simpson under a new coaching staff after a 5-12 season and Watson’s costly, injury-plagued tenure.
Dan Marino says the Dolphins should introduce competition at quarterback to push Tua Tagovailoa but not write him off, stressing that the new coaching staff will evaluate all options while Tua remains on the roster. He notes Tua’s past excellence and current concussion-era concerns, acknowledges the AFC East’s toughness, and suggests Miami may pursue external options or a Tua–Ewers pairing rather than a quick trade or release due to salary-cap realities.
In a press conference, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acknowledged missteps in Daniel Jones' free‑agency negotiations and said Minnesota drafted J.J. McCarthy with incomplete information, keeping the door open for a quarterback competition in 2026 as Kevin O'Connell builds a deep QB room. Jones had been with the Colts at 8‑4 before a season-ending Achilles injury.
In a live chat, Mike Spofford discusses the Packers' quarterback choices, injury updates, playoff strategies, and player performances, emphasizing the importance of turnovers, the potential for young players to step up, and the team's overall outlook for the postseason.
Anthony Richardson accepted losing the Colts' starting quarterback job to Daniel Jones, emphasizing respect for the decision and his ongoing effort to improve, though his future as a starter remains uncertain.