Kyler Murray is straight up pulling away in the Vikings quarterback battle, and if you blink, you might miss J.J. McCarthy falling completely out of the race. That’s the absolute word after Day 7 of training camp, their second day in pads at TCO Performance Center, according to Tyler Forness from The Real Forno Show, who was right there on the ground for the action. Forness has been at the last four practices, and his take? Murray is separating himself in all the areas that matter.
QB Race? More Like a Coronation!
Let’s be real, this ain’t much of a competition anymore. Forness is seeing Murray pull ahead with insane processing speed, rock-solid consistency, and those bombs that just electrify a crowd. We’re talking two deep post touchdowns here: a 40-yarder in 7-on-7 drills and a monstrous 60-yard shot in team drills. Murray is dropping dimes, man! Forness didn’t mince words either, saying, “I think it’s now becoming a matter of time that Kyler Murray is going to be named the starter.”
On the other side, J.J. McCarthy had what Forness called his “sharpest processing day” of camp, but he just couldn’t keep that energy. You know the drill, right? A couple of great plays, then it just unravels. Forness summed it up: “He’ll drop back, he’ll have a really clean process, and he’ll rip a 15-yard out route, but two plays later it feels like it’s unraveling.” That kind of inconsistency ain’t gonna cut it for a starting job.
Rookies Are Stealing the Show, for Better or Worse
But wait, there’s more buzz coming out of camp, especially from some of the new blood. Tai Felton is absolutely turning heads, with Forness comparing his emergence to K.J. Osborn’s breakout year in 2021. “I’m very impressed with Tai Felton. He’s showcasing a lot,” Forness said. Felton even snagged a 60-yard touchdown bomb from Murray during team drills, a deep post that surely had everyone on their feet. This dude is making a statement!
Then there’s Chuck Demmings, the fifth-round rookie cornerback who Forness is calling “the real deal.” And get this, he’s winning reps against none other than Justin Jefferson! “He is winning against Justin Jefferson… This dude has the perfect brain for a cornerback,” Forness declared. That’s not just big, that’s legitimately mind-blowing. A fifth-rounder shutting down one of the league’s best receivers in camp? That’s a steal, pure and simple.
However, not all rookies are shining. Return specialist Demond Claiborne is, unfortunately, struggling big time. He’s logged multiple drops in his first two days of camp, and to add insult to injury, Jamal Adams laid him out cold. Forness was blunt: “Very, very unimpressed so far with Demond Claiborne.” Oof.
Quick Hits and What’s Next
Rounding out the camp notes, pass rusher Dallas Turner is absolutely flashing, tallying multiple pressures and sacks during team drills. The running game is looking different too, with Frank Smith brought in to revamp things. Forness believes Jordan Mason is gonna snag a bigger share of the backfield carries over Aaron Jones, especially in those wide zone sets. As for injuries, Jordan Addison sat out with a jammed thumb, but imaging cleared him, and it’s not considered serious. Good news there.
So, while the Vikings aren’t playing a game tomorrow, this camp news sets the stage for what’s coming. The QB battle looks settled, and some rookies are making massive waves. You gotta keep an eye on Felton and especially Demmings, because if they keep this up, the regular season is gonna be a wild ride for the Vikings.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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