With a battle expected to take place for the starting quarterback role in Minnesota, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has thrown down the gauntlet to last year’s starter.
The Vikings look to put 2025 starter JJ McCarthy to the test this season and signed free agent quarterback Kyler Murray in the offseason.
McCarthy, who is about to enter his third season in the league, had a rocky debut following a season-ending injury in his rookie preseason.
Throughout the season, McCarthy had struggles unbecoming of the tenth overall pick. With Murray now in the fold, it’s expected to be a battle for the Week 1 starting role.
Jefferson spoke about the Vikings’ quarterback room publicly for the first time on Monday and was blunt when addressing McCarthy’s future.
‘I’m definitely looking for those big, exciting plays [from Murray],’ Jefferson said on the first day of the Vikings’ offseason minicamp. ‘I’m definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he’s shown countless times over the years.
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is challenging quarterback JJ McCarthy to improve
McCarthy, who missed 2024 due to an injury, had a rough debut season in 2025
This led the Vikings to signing free agent quarterback Kyler Murray in the offseason
‘And then for J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he’s got to step it up a little bit.
‘So it’s good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, ‘It’s either now or I’m going to take that back seat again.’ So it’s all a competitive mindset when it comes to these type of things. So it’s all about who’s ready for that moment and who’s ready to step up and take that initiative.’
Despite Jefferson’s pointed words, the wide receiver and former Offensive Player of the Year confirmed he’s met with McCarthy on multiple occassions in the past few months to get some work in.
He confirmed that most of the meetings were in Minnesota, but slyly admitted to hosting other meet-ups at a ‘designated location.’
‘It really doesn’t have to be having to run 30 different routes, but it’s all about just feeling the ball coming and seeing the ball coming out of his hand and then just feeling the impact and the velocity of his football,’ Jefferson told reporters.
‘So it’s great to just get that timing down pat, starting way earlier now than starting in training camp. So just getting a little head start, and it definitely feels good working with him.’
Jefferson says he’s spent time working with McCarthy in the offseason to improve their timing
Jefferson added, ‘It’s really good to get some good talent in the room to give a little spark in that room, to see a competitive edge and from those guys to really lock in and to do what we’re expecting them to do, which is come in and be that guy. And we need that one guy for this team.’
Murray’s deal with the Vikings only lasts one season. However, he is projected to earn the starting role this year.
Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell gave no indication which quarterback would be atop the depth chart.
