Vikings' Justin Jefferson opens up about Kyler Murray concerns

Recently, concerns arose about Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kyler Murray after he and Blake Brandel endured some issues regarding center-quarterback exchanges and after the Vikings' passing attack "felt a bit off" during Wednesday's joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens. 

On Thursday, Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson insisted that he is "very comfortable" regarding his working relationship with Murray. 

Justin Jefferson, Kyler Murray just need more time to click

"I mean, he’s a phenomenal quarterback, a great athlete," Jefferson said about Murray, per Eduardo Razo of Heavy. "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." 

Back in June, Murray raised eyebrows when he acknowledged that "having to split reps" with 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy during springtime workouts made it somewhat difficult for the former Arizona Cardinals starter to build rapport with Jefferson and other receivers. Murray no longer has to deal with such frustrations, as he was named the Vikings' Week 1 starter before the club's preseason opener at the New York Giants on Aug. 15. 

Justin Jefferson: Kyler Murray was right about splitting reps

 Jefferson suggested that splitting reps was an added challenge for Murray up through the early days of training camp. 

"Obviously [Murray] taking all of the 'ones' reps kind of allows us to get in the rhythm and get into the groove of things," Jefferson explained, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "And you don't really have to rely on having a catch on both footballs from two different people. So I mean, just like he said, he felt that the reps was a little short and he felt more comfortable having more reps. So now he has it, and the connection is definitely growing. Work needs to be done, but it comes with time and comes with just coming out here and just working together."

Members of the Minnesota offense have time to complete that work before the club opens the regular season with a matchup versus the rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13. For what it's worth, Alec Lewis of The Athletic noted that "Minnesota’s passing game had more success" during Thursday's joint practice with the Ravens.