Justin Jefferson reveals what surprised him about Kyler Murray

Not long after Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell named free-agent signing Kyler Murray the team's Week 1 starting quarterback over 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, concerns about Murray's chemistry with weapons such as Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson arose. 

It seems like Jefferson believes he and Murray will be on the same page when Minnesota opens the regular season with a home game against the rival Green Bay Packers this coming Sunday.

Justin Jefferson "surprised" by Kyler Murray's arm talent

"He’s been great," Jefferson said about Murray during a recent chat with Josh Buckhalter of Heavy. "Coming in and, really, just doing what he has been doing for the past years with [the Arizona Cardinals]. But seeing him up close, and seeing how good of arm talent he has and his ability to really throw it into different spots, and really lead receivers. That was something that I really was surprised about and didn’t really know: how good his arm talent really was."

The Cardinals made Murray the first overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft, and he earned a pair of Pro Bowl nods through the 2024 season. However, his work ethic was routinely questioned during his Arizona tenure up until he made just five starts last season before he was shut down because of a foot injury.

The Cardinals then parted ways with Murray this past March. 

Kyler Murray can "really bloom" in Vikings' offense? 

For an article published on Wednesday, Jeff Howe of The Athletic wrote that "Murray wowed the Vikings with his athleticism this summer" and "has a chance to reclaim some of his magic under highly regarded head coach Kevin O’Connell." Jefferson sounds excited about what he and Murray could accomplish together later this year. 

"Everybody knows of his speed and being able to scramble and extend the play," Jefferson added about Murray. "But his arm talent and being able to sit in the pocket was something that I didn’t really see too much often. So, being able to see it now, and seeing him really bloom in this offense, it’s really going to be exciting to see. So, hopefully, we put it all out there on Sunday for the whole world to see and for us to start the season up right." 

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Vikings as 1.5-point favorites over the Packers. Jefferson will enter that game looking to show he is the best overall receiver in the league.