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Tom Pelissero Offers His 2 Cents on Top Vikings Issue

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2 months ago

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Tom Pelissero reports from the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero appears on site during media coverage at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center, Feb. 25, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pelissero reported on league developments as executives, coaches, and scouts gathered to evaluate prospects and shape offseason decisions ahead of free agency and the draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Tom Pelissero is a national insider who has strong connections to the Minnesota Vikings. He therefore brings some authority behind his words.

Recently, Pelissero chatted with Rich Eisen, known for (among other things) running a blistering forty. Apparently, Minnesota is working through a true battle at quarterback, giving each guy near identical opportunities to prove capable of being the QB1.

Tom Pelissero Says it’s a True QB1 Battle

“They are splitting this 50/50,” Pelissero explained about the purple passer battle.

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To my eye, the split was essentially even, as Pelissero indicates. J.J. McCarthy would get run with the starters; next up would be Kyler Murray with the starters. Neither were dominant forces completing every pass. Both made mistakes. What seemed to emerge, though, was a situation where the kid QB — McCarthy — was the better of the pair across the three days of practice.

J.J. McCarthy throws a pass against the Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back and delivers a first-quarter throw at U.S. Bank Stadium, Jan 4, 2026, in Minneapolis against the Green Bay Packers. The snapshot captured McCarthy operating within the structure of the offense early, as Minnesota looked to establish rhythm and tempo during a high-stakes divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

At times, Murray turned the ball over. Some of that is to be forgiven since he’s so new and is human. More concerning, perhaps, is that there were several snaps where he struggled to find an open man. Being in a real football game instead of 7-on-7 would have led to some chaos.

Pelissero had more to say: “[Kevin O’Connell] wants this to be fair all the way through the entire process.” Next up was a reasonably juicy proclamation: “I think that at this stage coming out of minicamp, the coaches probably have a pretty good idea what direction they think this is going to go. And I don’t anticipate it takes all three preseason games for them to arrive at that conclusion.”

On Thursday after the final day of minicamp, Kevin O’Connell essentially offered the precise idea Pelissero is offering. Seeing this QB battle go all of the way to Week 1 isn’t going to happen.

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The reason why Minnesota is in the clunky scenario they’re in is due to what was a horrendous passing attack last year. J.J. McCarthy deserved better stats, often letdown by WRs who dropped too many balls, an OL that was very injured, and an HC who refused to run with consistency.

Still, things got ugly. McCarthy finished his season at 6-4 behind 57.6% passing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Murray has never lacked for accuracy. Nor, for that matter, is arm strength, speed, or promise more broadly an issue. He can do a ton well.

Where Murray has struggled has been with winning. Very seldom has he turned the Cardinals into a strong team, if ever at all. In seven seasons, Murray went to the playoffs a single time. He then got demolished while there.

Worse yet, the injuries have piled up in his career and his work ethic has been a source of concern. Kicking things back even further involves remembering the doubts about Murray’s commitment to football since he was so good at baseball that he had a chance to play pro in the MLB.

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Oh, and for the record, Tom Pelissero did predict Kyler Murray as the starting quarterback. He seemingly did so as an assessment coming from his own perspective rather than delivering insight from Vikings coaches and/or executives.

Tom Pelissero works during NFL Combine coverage at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero works during coverage of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Mar. 2, 2022. Pelissero has become one of the league’s most recognizable insiders in recent years, regularly delivering breaking news, transaction updates, and behind-the-scenes reporting connected to the Vikings and the broader NFL landscape. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

Without question, Murray is the leader in the clubhouse, but the passer battle is just getting started.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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5 WWE Superstars who would’ve benefited from being in the Interim WWE Women’s Title Ladder Match at SummerSlam

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1 minute ago

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31 July 2026

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Rhea Ripley’s meniscus injury has forced the company to crown an Interim WWE Women’s Champion, and they are going to do so in a massive five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.

The field is stacked with former champions. Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, and Chelsea Green are confirmed to participate in the bout. Giulia and Lash Legend will collide on this week’s SmackDown for the final spot in the match.

While the bout is sure to be exciting, it could be argued that WWE could have used this opportunity to showcase fresher or underrated talent instead of established names. Here are five stars who would have benefited from being in the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.

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#5. Jacy Jayne

Jacy Jayne arrived on SmackDown following WrestleMania 42 alongside Fatal Influence, and the group has already secured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. That said, while Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid have gold, Jayne does not.

The Rockstar faced Tiffany Stratton in a qualifying match for the ladder match, but didn’t win. Fatal Influence is now set to face The Bella Twins and Paige at SummerSlam. While it’s a positive that the group has made it to the card, it would have been more beneficial for Jacy Jayne if she had qualified for the five-way Ladder Match.

Jayne carried the NXT women’s division for a long time and has enough experience as a main event talent. The Ladder Match would have been an excellent opportunity for her to showcase her in-ring prowess and establish her on SmackDown.

#4. Candice LeRae

Candice LeRae is one of the most experienced women on the roster. However, despite being a veteran, she hasn’t had a clear direction on television in a while. The five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam could have been a great way to reintroduce her to the mix.

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Currently, her only television time is alongside her husband, Johnny Gargano, who lies motionless backstage, as she tries to get him back to normal. A competitor like LeRae deserves to be in the ring, competing with the best of WWE.

Even if she does not win, Candice LeRae would have benefitted immensely from being included in the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam.

#3. Michin

Michin is known for her fearlessness in the ring, a quality that could have shined in the five-way Ladder Match. She and B-Fab are currently in a group led by Jade Cargill. While The Storm is in the match, her stablemates didn’t receive an opportunity to qualify.

Michin could have produced several memorable moments in the five-way Ladder Match if she had participated in it. It would have made the match better and showcased her in a different light.

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#2. Fallon Henley

Fallon Henley could have been a sleeper pick for the five-way Ladder Match at SummerSlam. While all three women in Fatal Influence have been impressive, Henley has generated a lot of popularity for herself online.

The company could have capitalized on it and had her compete in the Interim WWE Women’s Championship match. For a young star like Henley, an impressive performance in a high-stakes match could become a career-defining moment.

#1. WWE star Blake Monroe

Perhaps the most surprising omission from the five-way Ladder Match and the SummerSlam card in general is Blake Monroe. The Glamour has arrived on SmackDown, but she has yet to have a televised match as a main roster star.

Monroe is regarded as one of the most promising talents, and SummerSlam could have been the perfect opportunity to introduce her to the main roster. Despite being young, the former AEW star is no stranger to big-time matches and could have added a lot to the Ladder Match.

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