The Minnesota Vikings have a new general manager in Nolan Teasley, and the former Seattle Seahawks assistant general manager is inheriting a team that’s looking to win now. Moreover, he has a few players who are among the best at their respective positions.
One of those players is Justin Jefferson, who might be the best player at his position. During the Vikings’ 13-3 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 22 at U.S. Bank Stadium, Teasley appeared on the broadcast to talk about several topics ahead of the 2026 season.
Among the topics, Teasley was asked about the Vikings wideout as he went from an organization that has Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Minnesota, where he now has Jefferson.
“What I noticed about them right away is just that they’re so driven to perfect their craft,” Teasley said. “I would call them both classy receivers in terms of their route-running ability, natural ball skills and body control, which is God-given, but it’s really that drive to be the best. You see it in both of them, and they’re two of the best in the game, if not the best.”
Vikings Believe Kyler Murray Can Revive Justin Jefferson
Last season was a challenging one for Jefferson, whose production took a hit due to the issues under center. The Vikings star recorded an 80.5 PFF grade along with 84 receptions on 140 targets, 1,048 receiving yards, and one touchdown.
Moreover, Jefferson registered 12.5 yards per reception, 5.2 yards after catch per reception, and five drops. As a result, Jefferson will be looking for better numbers this season with Kyler Murray as the QB1.
In an Aug. 19 video from ESPN, NFL insider Adam Schefter shared an outlook on the Vikings wideout and what those within the organization are saying now that Murray is their starting QB.
“Justin Jefferson has fallen out of that conversation [as the best receiver in the NFL],” Schefter said. “By signing Kyler Murray, this is the Vikings’ attempt to get him squarely back into that conversation and make sure that he is remembered as one of the best, if not the best, wide receivers in the NFL. We didn’t get to see those plays with regularity from Justin Jefferson last year.
“With Kyler Murray, the way he throws the deep ball and his accuracy, I think there’s a feeling within the organization that this can help revive Justin Jefferson. Not that he didn’t play well last year, of course he did, but he needs a quarterback getting him the football, and I would expect that he’s going to be peppered with targets early and often.”
Justin Jefferson Updates Connection With Kyler Murray
Speaking of Jefferson, on Aug. 20, he spoke to the media and shared an update on how that connection with Murray.
“Very comfortable,” Jefferson told reporters about his connection with Murray. “I mean, he’s a phenomenal quarterback, a great athlete. We know what he can do on the run and with the ball in his hand. It’s just all about him understanding me and how I run my routes, my timing, how fast I’m running, and just getting on the same page.
“That just comes with time, the reps that we have here in practice. But that’s why these joint practices are so important because we’re not getting those game reps until the season actually starts.”
Vikings GM Nolan Teasley Doesn’t Hold Back on Justin Jefferson