- May 21, 2026
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Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are competing for the starting quarterback job in Minnesota. Justin Jefferson doesn't have a favorite for the job, wanting only for the best man to win it.
“Right now, we don’t know who’s the number one,” Jefferson said, via Will Ragatz of Bring Me The Sports. “It’s all about having communication and connection with both of the guys until further notice. Coming out here and getting work with both of them, talking to both of them, making sure we all understand and [are] on the same page.
“It’s a competition. It’s all on who comes to practice and who’s the better guy. At this point, it’s still early in training camp for any of us to understand or know who’s the number one guy. It’s all about pouring into both of them and making sure that, whoever’s the guy at the end of the day, we’re not starting over or starting fresh.”
Jefferson is doing all he can to build a connection with both quarterbacks. If he has a favorite, he isn't saying.
“I love a competition,” Jefferson said. “I always love a competition. I feel like a competition brings out the true dog in you, that true player within you. It’s all about who’s coming every single day with that fresh mentality, that every single day is a new day. Not dwelling on a past day, if it’s a great day or not. Moving on and stacking those days and being consistent.”
Murray, who turns 29 in August, gets a second chance after going 38-48-1 in seven seasons in Arizona, with 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions. McCarthy, 23, has made only 10 starts in two seasons since the Vikings made him a first-round pick, and he threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.
“Right now, we don’t know who’s the number one,” Jefferson said, via Will Ragatz of Bring Me The Sports. “It’s all about having communication and connection with both of the guys until further notice. Coming out here and getting work with both of them, talking to both of them, making sure we all understand and [are] on the same page.
“It’s a competition. It’s all on who comes to practice and who’s the better guy. At this point, it’s still early in training camp for any of us to understand or know who’s the number one guy. It’s all about pouring into both of them and making sure that, whoever’s the guy at the end of the day, we’re not starting over or starting fresh.”
Jefferson is doing all he can to build a connection with both quarterbacks. If he has a favorite, he isn't saying.
“I love a competition,” Jefferson said. “I always love a competition. I feel like a competition brings out the true dog in you, that true player within you. It’s all about who’s coming every single day with that fresh mentality, that every single day is a new day. Not dwelling on a past day, if it’s a great day or not. Moving on and stacking those days and being consistent.”
Murray, who turns 29 in August, gets a second chance after going 38-48-1 in seven seasons in Arizona, with 20,460 yards, 121 touchdowns and 60 interceptions. McCarthy, 23, has made only 10 starts in two seasons since the Vikings made him a first-round pick, and he threw 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.