Jettas on the QB Room..
EAGAN, Minn. -- As the Minnesota Vikings navigate a likely quarterback change this offseason, receiver Justin Jefferson has found himself squarely in the middle.
On the one hand, Jefferson has worked extensively this offseason with 2025 starter J.J. McCarthy in an effort to elevate McCarthy after a rocky debut season. On the other, Jefferson knows that free agent acquisition Kyler Murray has a long history of making the kind of plays that McCarthy couldn't muster consistently last season.
Speaking publicly Monday for the first time about the Vikings' new quarterback room, which also includes Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer, Jefferson said he is looking forward to Murray's playmaking skills and was blunt about McCarthy's future.
"I'm definitely looking for those big, exciting plays [from Murray]," Jefferson said on the first day of the Vikings' offseason program. "I'm definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he's shown countless times over the years.
"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."
Murray signed a one-year contract March 13 and, though many around the NFL expect him to emerge as the Vikings' starter, coach Kevin O'Connell has said there is no need to discuss depth charts at any position during the offseason. That has left open the possibility that McCarthy, the No. 10 pick of the 2024 draft, could win the job during training camp.
Jefferson pledged at the end of last season to help McCarthy through the offseason in any way he could, and Monday he confirmed that the pair have met on multiple occasions over the past few months. Most of their meetings took place in Minnesota, Jefferson said, but others were at a "designated location," he said with a smile.
"Really just anywhere where we can meet up and find time to really throw the ball to each other," he said. "And 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. 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."
McCarthy appears "a lot more confident into where I'm going to be at," Jefferson added, "how fast I'm going to get there, what timing to throw that ball before I break."
Whether or not McCarthy truly mounts a challenge, Murray's arrival will generate a new edge in otherwise low-intensity offseason workouts.
"It's really good to get some good talent in the room to give a little spark in that room," Jefferson said, "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 to come in and to be that guy.
"And we need that one guy for this team. So I'm definitely excited for that room, excited to see what those guys have in store for us in training camp."
ESPN
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
There's the guy the whole QB room has to answer to, maybe more than to KOC. I think just having a full offseason with JJ, unlike last season, will be great for all of our signal callers. Hopefully, Addison and as many other WRs/TEs and even backfield guys put in the extra time this Spring/Summer....
KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....
Hopefully this whole 'upgrade to the QB room' works in spades....I think what will help JJ more than anything is just the reps and ability to spend time in the offseason throwing to guys like Jefferson. Hopefully Kyler is diving into the playbook. Much health is wished upon this group.
What I like about JJ's comments are that he was not hanging his hat just on JJM and his off-season work together. He's throwing it out there that JJM has to step up his game in order to compete. He's challenging JJM to bring his best game. He also knows what KM brings to the table. I like that concept of keeping 'em honest.
Overall, the QB room is a ton better right now than it was going into TC last year.
Please God, just one Lombardi before I die.
StickierBuns wrote:
Hopefully this whole 'upgrade to the QB room' works in spades....I think what will help JJ more than anything is just the reps and ability to spend time in the offseason throwing to guys like Jefferson. Hopefully Kyler is diving into the playbook. Much health is wished upon this group.
Reading these comments from Jefferson makes me wish it had happened last year. Jefferson couldn't seem to handle lots of the passes from JJM. So many drops. Blame for that goes both ways. JJM needs to take the heat off some passes, but other times the WRs just didn't seem prepared.
greediron wrote:
Reading these comments from Jefferson makes me wish it had happened last year. Jefferson couldn't seem to handle lots of the passes from JJM. So many drops. Blame for that goes both ways. JJM needs to take the heat off some passes, but other times the WRs just didn't seem prepared.
Yeah, after several re-watches...it kinda reminds me of the Indiana Fever when Caitlin Clark arrived. She passed so quickly, and so hard, that a ton of passes just got deflected out of bounds.
JJM had a bunch of brutal drops last season, and many didn't look like the "piss missiles" he's described. Addison dropped a few real heartbreakers, and JJ himself seemed angry at himself for some drops that seemed...odd.
I also find the whole "can't pass over the middle" thing to be "sus" (as the kids say), because he hit a bunch over the middle...it's as easy as watching his footage.
The kid has to work on a ton of rudimentary improvements plus whatever KOC is adding to the playbook...but, the doomsayers really seem to have the blinders on.
KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....
I will admit I don't have a lot of hope for JJM. I really don't. And I've said that from the moment he was drafted and I was kind of let in on it a bit that they weren't real happy with where he was at last year mid-summer. But I hope he can take a year or two and improve. I don't think he is anywhere near ready for the NFL. He just simply isn't in my opinion. I also think he seems a little immature and maybe that's what has me doubting him.
Not trying to rag on anyone else's opinion. It's just how I see it and my opinion. He was a 160yd passer on a handoff running team. He is about where you'd expect him to be.
Is this thing STILL on? | Skol Vikes! |
Mike Olson wrote:
I will admit I don't have a lot of hope for JJM. I really don't. And I've said that from the moment he was drafted and I was kind of let in on it a bit that they weren't real happy with where he was at last year mid-summer. But I hope he can take a year or two and improve. I don't think he is anywhere near ready for the NFL. He just simply isn't in my opinion. I also think he seems a little immature and maybe that's what has me doubting him.
Not trying to rag on anyone else's opinion. It's just how I see it and my opinion. He was a 160yd passer on a handoff running team. He is about where you'd expect him to be.
Yah, everyone got a take and the board sussed it out pretty good with varying view points...I think the poor kids floor was less than I thought, KOC took too long to adjust the O and the injuries were just a tremendous headwind. Something wasn't right behind the scenes either is my guess.
But I really do hope (for everyone's sake) he does well with the opportunities he'll get. I really was excited to watch him last year.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Going to be a year of clarity at QB1 for the Minnesota Vikings. If somehow its not, which is the worst case scenario, god help us....
Pretty much just parroting the KOC’s talking points, but the media and fans probably need to hear it a couple of times that it’s not just the Murray show.
I like that he’s a quick thinker and good communicator when you can kind of see the media trying to lead him into saying something he shouldn’t be saying and he doesn’t take the bait.
purplefaithful wrote:
Yah, everyone got a take and the board sussed it out pretty good with varying view points...I think the poor kids floor was less than I thought, KOC took too long to adjust the O and the injuries were just a tremendous headwind. Something wasn't right behind the scenes either is my guess.
But I really do hope (for everyone's sake) he does well with the opportunities he'll get. I really was excited to watch him last year.
medaille wrote:
Pretty much just parroting the KOC’s talking points, but the media and fans probably need to hear it a couple of times that it’s not just the Murray show.
I like that he’s a quick thinker and good communicator when you can kind of see the media trying to lead him into saying something he shouldn’t be saying and he doesn’t take the bait.
PF & medaille ~ These are similar to some of my thoughts & what I was about to say. Easier quoting you though. LOL
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Mike Olson wrote:
I will admit I don't have a lot of hope for JJM. I really don't. And I've said that from the moment he was drafted and I was kind of let in on it a bit that they weren't real happy with where he was at last year mid-summer. But I hope he can take a year or two and improve. I don't think he is anywhere near ready for the NFL. He just simply isn't in my opinion. I also think he seems a little immature and maybe that's what has me doubting him.
Not trying to rag on anyone else's opinion. It's just how I see it and my opinion. He was a 160yd passer on a handoff running team. He is about where you'd expect him to be.
My hopes were dashed on the rocks for sure....still think JJ's story hasn't been written yet, but its hard to deny what's happening. Ultimately I'm just looking toward what we all are as fans, regardless of who is QB: wins. And playoff wins more succinctly. Pretty please?
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