In the final game of the 2025 season, the Minnesota Vikings had nothing left to play for, besides getting star wideout Justin Jefferson to 1,000 receiving yards, a feat that should be a given for a player of his prominence. It should be noted that he reached that benchmark in 2023 despite playing in only ten games.
That ridiculous fact alone was reason enough for the Vikings to evaluate the market and look for a passer who can feed the club’s best player. They think they found one in Kyler Murray, the former first overall draft choice, who’s set to compete with last year’s QB1 J.J. McCarthy for the starting job.
Thought to be the clear favorite, Murray has convinced Jefferson in the few practice sessions.
The receiver joined Paul Allen for a chat on Monday and revealed, “I would say he understands the game. He understands the defenses. He understands just how to put touch on the ball, just enough to where it gets to where its got to go without making it difficult for us. So, he understands the game a lot more because he’s been in the game for a couple years now. So, he throws the ball before you even get out of the break.”
All of that sounds like something all NFL quarterbacks should be able to do, but last year’s aerial attack in the Twin Cities showed otherwise. McCarthy couldn’t throw touch passes and his ball placement was certainly subpar. Both of those things, to an extent, prevented Vikings fans from assessing aspects such as his ability to read defenses or decision-making, which are common difficulties for young signal-callers.
All the reporters watching OTAs have the same take: Murray is the clear favorite to take the first snap in Week 1 and it’s showing on the practice field.
The veteran has the experience McCarthy clearly lacks, having started 87 games and thrown nearly 3,000 passes in the NFL. He has 121 passing scores and over 20,000 yards on his NFL resume.
Murray was an MVP candidate early in his career, but his play has dropped off since. Injuries have undoubtedly played a role in his decline, as he missed the end of the 2022 season as well as the first half of the 2023 season due to a torn ACL. After a full season in 2024, a foot injury (and Arizona’s draft position) prevented him from playing more than five games last year.
If he can repeat that one 17-game campaign from 2024, the Vikings are in good shape. The former Heisman winner registered 26 total touchdowns (21 passing) and around 4,400 total yards.
Jefferson added, “I’m looking forward to seeing how good [Murray] does in training camp. I’m looking forward to J.J. (McCarthy) and seeing his improvements, seeing the different things he has picked up over the offseason. But I’m excited for the competition. I’m excited for that to go on in training camp and see the different plays that they make.”
McCarthy’s improvements have also been noted by various reporters at OTAs. Those improvements could still play a role in the upcoming season, considering Murray’s injury history and the stature that could compromise his durability.
It’s also worth noting that McCarthy is still only 23 years old, and improvement isn’t just possible but likely.
New GM Nolan Teasly, who also chatted with Allen, left the door open for the 10th overall pick from 2024: “I think it’s deep. It’s competitive. There’s a lot of talent in there. There’s football experience. There’s upside. And that applies to everybody because of the developers we have at that position. So, iron sharpens iron. May the best man win. They’re going to compete hard. They’re going to be developed to a really high level because of coach (Kevin) O’Connell and the offensive football staff.”
Ultimately, O’Connell will make the decision. Having a strong relationship with Jefferson on the field will be crucial for either passer. After his disastrous 2025, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a bounce-back.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
