Steve Smith Sr. critiques Vikings' QB competition ahead of season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 2, 2026, 5:30 PM
Last updated Jun 2, 2026
Steve Smith Sr. expressed strong criticism of the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback battle featuring Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy during an appearance on ESPN's Get Up. Smith questioned the abilities of both quarterbacks, suggesting McCarthy could be easily outperformed and that Murray needs to focus more on his playbook. The Vikings are looking to improve after a disappointing 2025 season and will face the Carolina Panthers in Week 13. Smith's remarks come as part of ongoing discussions about Minnesota's path forward at the quarterback position, which has struggled since the departure of Sam Darnold.
- •Steve Smith Sr. on ESPN criticized Vikings QBs Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
- •Smith stated anyone could outperform McCarthy in a competition.
- •He encouraged Murray to focus more on football than on gaming.
- •The Panthers will face the Vikings in Week 13 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
- •Minnesota is looking to recover after a 9-8 record in 2025.
- 5:30 PMYahoo Sports — Panthers great Steve Smith Sr. savagely rips Vikings' QB competition
"Vikings QBs Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy may both need to ice up after what Panthers great Steve Smith Sr. had to say about their competition.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
NFL•Oct 25, 2026, 8:55 PMBuccaneers run wild as defense overwhelms Panthers in Week 7
NFL•Oct 25, 2026, 8:54 PMBuccaneers Week 7 Top Performers at Carolina Panthers
NFL•Oct 25, 2026, 8:53 PMChuba Hubbard has decent outing in Week 7
NFL•Oct 25, 2026, 8:45 PMBryce Young throws one TD, two INTs in Week 7
NFL•Oct 25, 2026, 8:38 PMJustin Jefferson limited to 44 yards in Week 7
NFL•Oct 25, 2026, 8:37 PMWhat channel is Sunday Night Football Chiefs-Seahawks game on TV tonight live?