Justin Jefferson speaks carefully about Vikings' Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy competition

Throughout the offseason, Minnesota Vikings superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson seemed to take some veiled shots at quarterback and 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy. The fact that Jefferson recently offered high praise for free-agency signing Kyler Murray understandably left outsiders assuming the receiver wants Murray to emerge as Minnesota's 2026 Week 1 starter. 

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Jefferson revealed that he plans to continue working with both signal-callers through the NFL's summer break.

Justin Jefferson has no Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy preference? 

"I feel like at the end of the day it's more going to be a coach's call," Jefferson said about the competition for the QB1 gig, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN. "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."

Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings' coach, confirmed on Thursday that he won't be making a call regarding the conclusion of the quarterback battle before training-camp practices get underway in late July. Thus, Jefferson wants to be sure he's comfortable catching passes thrown by both Murray and McCarthy by the time the games begin to matter in September. 

"Just carrying on what we have been doing for the past couple weeks and just continuing that throughout the summertime," Jefferson said about working out with both quarterbacks this summer. "It definitely would be impactful. Just to continue to see my route running, to continue to get that timing down pat is really key, so we're not really starting over back in training camp. We'll just continue to do the same things that we're doing here, but at a different location."

Justin Jefferson shares how J.J. McCarthy has improved

The perception exists that Murray outperformed McCarthy throughout portions of springtime workouts. That said, Jefferson was sure to note on Thursday that McCarthy has become "smarter" in his approach as it pertains to the velocity of certain passes since this past January. 

"Just understanding the different throws that he's making," Jefferson added about McCarthy. "Everything doesn't have to be 100 miles per hour. 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."

Presumably, both Murray and McCarthy will take meaningful snaps when the Vikings open their preseason with a matchup at the New York Giants on Aug. 15.