Last season, the Minnesota Vikings missed the playoffs with the play at quarterback playing a large role. Nonetheless, this offseason, the Vikings wanted to ensure the QB position doesn’t keep them out of the playoffs in the 2026 NFL season.
As a result, the Vikings went out and signed former No. 1 pick Kyler Murray after the Arizona Cardinals decided to cut ties with him. Murray will be looking to get his career back on track and live up to the potential that made him the top pick in 2019.
QBs like Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones have benefitted from having Kevin O’Connell as their head coach, and now Murray looks to be the next success story. On April 20, Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on Murray coming aboard.
“My first reaction was just, it’s really good to get some talent in the room, to give a little spark in that room, to see a competitive edge and for those guys to really lock in and do what we’re expecting them to do, which is to come in and be that guy,” Jefferson said.
“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.”
Justin Jefferson Excited to See Kyler Murray Play for Vikings
Moreover, Jefferson noted that he’s excited to see the former Cardinals star play and display the traits that make him an impressive talent. Still, the wideout also highlighted that it will benefit J.J. McCarthy to lock in and know he has major competition if he wants to win the starting job for Week 1.
“I’m definitely looking for those big, exciting plays. I’m looking forward to his speed, his quickness and his arm strength, which he has shown countless times over the years. For J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability and talent, he has to step it up a little bit.
“It is good for him to feel that type of pressure and really lock in and say it is either now or I’m going to take that back seat again. It is all about a competitive mindset in these types of situations. It comes down to who is ready for that moment and who is ready to step up and take that initiative.”
Lincoln Riley Doesn’t Hold Back on Kyler Murray
The Vikings received a positive message that they are getting a motivated Murray as the player’s former college head coach, Lincoln Riley, expects big things from the QB.
“Watch out for Kyler Murray in Minnesota,” Riley said on an April 17 appearance on “The Jim Rome Show.” “I love, love the pairing of him with Kevin O’Connell. I think Kevin’s fabulous. And watch out with those two together. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Furthermore, Riley went into further detail about why he believes Murray will benefit from having O’Connell as his head coach.
“KOC is a good enough coach, “ Riley added. “He will figure out what is best for the skill sets he has. I know he is excited about Kyler Murray and his skill set. I know Murray is equally excited to join that type of organization, a championship-level organization from top to bottom that is run the right way.”
Justin Jefferson Gets Blunt About Vikings Signing Kyler Murray