Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings broad receiver Justin Jefferson (18) seems to be on after the sport towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs
Justin Jefferson stays one of many brightest stars in all of soccer, however he wants to supply extra on the sphere than he did final yr. Although he won’t have performed at his private highest stage, the quarterback play definitely held him again all through his sixth NFL season.
This offseason, the Vikings had one main activity on the agenda and that was to improve the quarterback room. There’s a very good probability that the passing recreation will probably be higher in 2026 as two-time Professional Bowler Kyler Murray arrived in March. J.J. McCarthy may benefit from a full offseason and it’s not unprecedented {that a} 23-year-old could make progress.
That leads us to the large query in Minnesota’s subsequent almost 4 months: Who’s the starter come Week 1? Murray is the betting favourite, however McCarthy nonetheless has an opportunity, for those who consider the reporting from the final couple of months.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings broad receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after a Vikings landing in the course of the second half towards the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Photographs.
Wideout Jefferson was requested about that in a latest look on Good Morning Soccer.
Requested about what he desires to see from the 2 passers, he replied, “Just competition, for real. Just to see, who’s gonna be that last man standing? Who’s gonna be that dawg? Who’s gonna be that leader to carry us throughout the season? Because that is definitely a missing piece that we’re looking for and something that is very important to our team, which is the quarterback spot.”
The Vikings undoubtedly featured bottom-five quarterback play final yr between McCarthy and his backups, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. All of the pass-catchers noticed their numbers decline, particularly Jefferson’s record-breaking momentum, which was placed on maintain. He caught 84 passes for 1,048 yards and two scores. Only for comparability, he had 1,074 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2023, regardless of lacking seven full matchups and about one other recreation’s value of soccer in two different contests.
“Just seeing that competition battle, seeing those guys come in every day leading the team and try to spark especially the offense,” Jefferson added,” it’s undoubtedly one thing I’m trying ahead to. And simply going on the market and connecting with any quarterback that’s throwing the ball, that’s the primary necessary factor this coaching camp.”
Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball for a landing within the third quarter towards the Detroit Lions at Ford Subject. Necessary Credit score: David Reginek-Imagn Photographs
McCarthy was overwhelmed in his first NFL steps. He confirmed too many inconsistencies all through the season, with struggling accuracy and decision-making, in addition to mounting accidents.
Murray additionally has harm issues, although the ACL tear that bothered him in 2022 and 2023 apart, they’ve primarily been minor. If wholesome, he has proven a a lot greater mastery of the sport in his profession, with high-end play sprinkled in. Simply in 2024, he guided a struggling Arizona franchise to an 8-9 document with 26 touchdowns.
Each signal-callers might, in principle, grow to be franchise quarterbacks within the Twin Cities, one thing Jefferson wishes:
“That’s definitely something that is… I want that, for sure,” Jefferson stated. “It’s definitely difficult for those types of things to happen. But just like me being with Kirk (Cousins) for those first four years of my career, just building on that connection, building on that relationship, that’s something that is unbroken, that’s something you just don’t find just anywhere.”
Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a move towards the Atlanta Falcons in the course of the second half at State Farm Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports activities
Since Cousins’ departure, Jefferson has caught passes from Joshua Dobbs, Jaren Corridor, Nick Mullens, Sam Darnold, and the trio of passers in 2025. That revolving door makes it inconceivable to construct the kind of connection he had with Cousins early in his profession, but additionally with Darnold, who began all 18 video games in 2024.
“It definitely will be great to have a quarterback, the same quarterback for these next couple years going down the line, but you already know that’s something difficult to do in this league. But for sure, to keep knowing that quarterback for these next couple years and build that relationship and create that spark, that’s definitely the plan,” Jefferson concluded.
Feeding Jefferson is the primary precedence in Minnesota. It may well’t be that onerous to seek out top-of-the-line receivers of the century, who’s a grasp of route-running and getting open.
The 26-year-old desires to rebound after his disappointing season, however he wants both Murray or McCarthy to step up.
Editor’s Word: Info from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports activities Reference helped with this text.
Janik Eckardt is a German sports activities nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He selected the Vikings to be his … Extra about Janik Eckardt
