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Vikings' Kyler Murray Talks up Playing With Justin Jefferson
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray accepts he is in the heat of a quarterback battle, but he can’t help but soak up who he is throwing the ball to.
Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is easily one of the best in the game, and Murray is relishing the opportunity to fire passes his way at training camp. Jefferson, a two-time first-team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, has 579 catches for 8,480 yards and 42 touchdowns already in his young career.
“I think it’s greatness,” Murray told reporters on Wednesday at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan. “Not only does he believe he’s the best receiver in the league, he wants to be.”
“From what I’ve seen out here, he’s proved it every single day,” Murray added. “Those are the guys you want to be around. It’s few and far between having guys like that, but when you get around one, you see why. I’m just grateful I get to throw him the ball.”
Jefferson wants to get back on track after a relatively down year in 2025 when the quarterback transition from Sam Darnold to J.J. McCarthy took a toll. It led to career lows for Jefferson in terms of yards and touchdowns scored.
Whether or not Murray will throw the ball to Jefferson once Week 1 hits is unknown. The Vikings are having an open competition between Murray and McCarthy for the starting job.
McCarthy struggled in his first season as a starter with a 57.6% completion rate for 1,632 yards and 11 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions. Murray is looking to bounce back from a rough 2025 with the Arizona Cardinals, where he endured career lows amid just five games played, but he completed 68.3% of his passes.
That said, Murray is looking forward to the fresh start in Minnesota.
“It’s the best time of the year,” Murray said. “The best time of the year. Grass is green, sun is out, the trees — beautiful scenery.”
“Just getting to touch the field again with the guys, getting to play the game that I love to play,” he added. “Best time of the year.”
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