” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Justin-Jefferson-1-1180×624.jpg”> Justin Jefferson remains one of the brightest stars in all of football, but he needs to produce more on the field than he did last year. Though he might not have played at his personal highest level, the quarterback play certainly held him back throughout his sixth NFL season. <\/p>\n This offseason, the Vikings had one major task on the agenda and that was to upgrade the quarterback room. There\u2019s a good chance that the passing game will be better in 2026 as two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray arrived in March. J.J. McCarthy could benefit from a full offseason and it\u2019s not unprecedented that a 23-year-old can make progress. <\/p>\n That leads us to the big question in Minnesota\u2019s next nearly four months: Who\u2019s the starter come Week 1? Murray is the betting favorite<\/a>, but McCarthy still has a chance, if you believe the reporting from the last couple of months. <\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Justin-Jefferson-J.J.-McCarthy-1180×660.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Justin-Jefferson-J.J.-McCarthy.jpg” alt=”Justin Jefferson & J.J. McCarthy against the Cowboys in 2025″ > Wideout Jefferson was asked about that in a recent appearance on Good Morning Football.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Asked about what he wants to see from the two passers, he replied, \u201cJust competition, for real. Just to see, who\u2019s gonna be that last man standing? Who\u2019s gonna be that dawg? Who\u2019s gonna be that leader to carry us throughout the season? Because that is definitely a missing piece that we\u2019re looking for and something that is very important to our team, which is the quarterback spot.\u201d<\/p>\n The Vikings undoubtedly featured bottom-five quarterback play last year between McCarthy and his backups, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. All the pass-catchers saw their numbers decline, especially Jefferson\u2019s record-breaking momentum, which was put on hold. He caught 84 passes for 1,048 yards and two scores. Just for comparison, he had 1,074 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, despite missing seven full matchups and about another game\u2019s worth of football in two other contests. <\/p>\n \u201cJust seeing that competition battle, seeing those guys come in every day leading the team and try to spark especially the offense,\u201d Jefferson added,\u201d it\u2019s definitely something I\u2019m looking forward to. And just going out there and connecting with any quarterback that\u2019s throwing the ball, that\u2019s the main important thing this training camp.\u201d<\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/J.J.-McCarthy-1180×680.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/J.J.-McCarthy.jpg” alt=”Vikings J.J. McCarthy scores a touchdown against the Lions in 2025″ > McCarthy was overwhelmed in his first NFL steps. He showed too many inconsistencies throughout the season, with struggling accuracy and decision-making, as well as mounting injuries. <\/p>\n Murray also has injury problems, though the ACL tear that bothered him in 2022 and 2023 aside, they\u2019ve primarily been minor. If healthy, he has shown a much higher mastery of the game in his career, with high-end play sprinkled in. Just in 2024, he guided a struggling Arizona franchise to an 8-9 record with 26 touchdowns. <\/p>\n Both signal-callers could, in theory, become franchise quarterbacks in the Twin Cities, something Jefferson desires:<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s definitely something that is\u2026 I want that, for sure,\u201d Jefferson said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s something that is unbroken, that\u2019s something you just don\u2019t find just anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n ” data-large-file=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_21886074-1180×829.jpg” src=”https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=75,gravity=auto,metadata=none,format=auto,onerror=redirect\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_21886074.jpg” alt > Since Cousins\u2019 departure, Jefferson has caught passes from Joshua Dobbs, Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens, Sam Darnold, and the trio of passers in 2025. That revolving door makes it impossible to build the type of connection he had with Cousins early in his career, but also with Darnold, who started all 18 games in 2024. <\/p>\n \u201cIt 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\u2019s 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\u2019s definitely the plan,\u201d Jefferson concluded. <\/p>\n Feeding Jefferson is the main priority in Minnesota. It can\u2019t be that hard to find one of the best receivers of the century, who\u2019s a master of route-running and getting open. <\/p>\n The 26-year-old wants to rebound after his disappointing season, but he needs either Murray or McCarthy to step up.<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s Note: Information from\u00a0PFF<\/a>,\u00a0Over The Cap<\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0Sports Reference<\/a>\u00a0helped with this article.<\/em><\/p>\n Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n <\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\nDec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates with quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after a Vikings touchdown during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n
Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
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