Justin Jefferson Details J.J. McCarthy's 'Most Impactful' Improvement During Vikings QB1 Battle

The Minnesota Vikings have a quarterback competition on their hands, with Kyler Murray the expected starter but former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy certainly in the running.

Superstar wideout Justin Jefferson told reporters Thursday he's seen "growth" from both players this offseason and believes McCarthy has gotten "smarter" in his approach to the position.

"Just understanding the different throws that he's making," Jefferson added of the third-year quarterback. "Everything doesn't have to be 100 mph. Some throws, [he] can put a little touch on it and get it to the spot. So I feel like that is one of his most impactful improvements that he has made."

Jefferson added he's unlikely to have any say into the final decision at quarterback, with head coach Kevin O'Connell's making the call.

"I feel like at the end of the day it's more going to be a coach's call," Jefferson told reporters. "Just from what they see in training camp, the different plays that they're making, the adjustments, being a leader, being a vocal leader, all of those different things that go into what we are looking for. And at the end of the day, somebody's going to have that job, whether it's Kyler, whether it's J.J. So it's just all about working with both of them to make sure that whoever is the starter, we're dialed in, we're ready to go and the connection, the relationship, all of that is dialed in and ready to go when the season starts."

It's hard to imagine the Vikings signed a veteran starter like Murray—who has spent his entire NFL career as the starter—with the intent to make him the backup, so the expectation remains that he'll win the job. But the Vikings believed in McCarthy enough to select him with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft. While he struggled last season, a very strong summer could rekindle the team's belief.

So, bring on the quarterback competition.