EAGAN, Minn. — Justin Jefferson is making the most of time with quarterbacks.

The Vikings receiver spoke with media members Monday as the team kicked off its voluntary offseason workout program. He noted time on task spent this spring with J.J. McCarthy, as well as the welcome he's given free agent signee Kyler Murray.

As far as Jefferson is concerned? The more competition in the QB room, the better.

"It was really good … to give a little spark in that room to see a competitive edge, and for those guys to really lock in and to do what we're expecting them to do, which is come in and be that guy — and we need that one guy for this team," Jefferson said. "I'm definitely excited for that room. Excited to see what those guys have in store for us in training camp."

Since the end of the 2025 season, Jefferson and McCarthy have connected on multiple occasions and at various locations for throwing and training sessions.

Jefferson noted it's created opportunity for the teammates to provide additional feedback to each other, which will only elevate their games. He added that maintaining the close relationship is key.

"So, we'll continue to do that," Jefferson said. "And continue to work with Kyler and all the quarterbacks I can work with, just so we know that connection is top-tier when we start training camp.

"I feel like he's a lot more confident in where I'm going to be, how fast I'm going to get there, what timing to throw the ball before I break," he later continued. "He's understanding all of that. And like I said before, it comes with time. It comes with repetition, with seeing it over and over again. So by this time next year, he's going to be a totally different quarterback than he is now."

Jefferson said he's enjoyed meeting up "whenever we can find time to throw the ball."

"And it doesn't have to be running 30 different routes," he said. "It's all about just feeling the ball and seeing the ball come out of his hand, and then just feeling the impact and velocity of his football. It's great to get that time, of course starting way earlier now than starting in training camp. Getting a little head start, and it definitely feels good working with him."

Speaking of training camp … "Jets" understands there potentially won't be a clearly named starting quarterback until after the Vikings have finished their offseason programming. He's all good with that, though, as his main concern is making plays with whatever passer lines up for the respective play.

He also emphasized that while quarterback-receiver chemistry is important, he doesn't stress about who's throwing him the ball.

"I mean, I see it out of their hand and catch the ball for them," Jefferson said with a smile. "It's more of, I would say for Kyler, just trying to time up my route running — how fast I'm running, how quick I'm running, how fast I'm getting in and out of the breaks."

Murray comes to the Vikings with seven years of NFL experience — and 87 starts — under his belt, but he's in a new environment for the first time since being drafted No. 1 overall by Arizona.

Jefferson told media members he's "looking for those big, exciting plays" from Murray, as well as the quickness and arm speed he's demonstrated over his career.

He acknowledged McCarthy "has to step it up a bit" but believes it's a positive situation for the youngster to feel a little pressure and lock in at a new level.

"It's all a competitive mindset when it comes to these types of things," Jefferson said. "It's all about who's ready for that moment and who's ready to step up and take that initiative."

As the Vikings look for Murray (and his QB peers) to step up, they're confident in his ability to step up in — and sometimes outside — the pocket. Jefferson has worked with numerous quarterbacks since being drafted by Minnesota in 2020, and they've possessed various levels of mobility.

Murray is at or near the top in the mobility category.

Jefferson acknowledged that having a mobile quarterback can make things easier for receivers, as opponents typically bring more defenders up toward the line of scrimmage to account for a possible runner.

There's a difference from somebody that's playing an Aaron Rodgers-, Tom Brady-type quarterback from playing Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson," Jefferson explained. "You've got to have more people in the box, more people kind of eyeing him down, might have a quarterback-containing spy.

"That allows us to, on the back end, go against those DBs and safeties and not have to [factor in] a bunch of double teams and those cloud coverages we've been getting a lot of these past two years."

As Jefferson works with Minnesota's QBs, he's also kept tabs on former teammate Sam Darnold, who helped the Vikings earn 14 regular-season wins in 2024 and last year signed with Seattle as a free agent and led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory.

Jefferson didn't hesitate when asked how he feels about Darnold's success with another team.

"It was phenomenal. Honestly. I was very excited for him, very happy for him," he said. "he's been through a lot his whole entire journey. So for him to win this Super Bowl and for him to continue to be bright and to shine, it was amazing. I was very, very happy for him."

That ultimate goal remains on Jefferson's bucket list, of course. But he's happy with how Minnesota's offseason has gone and is excited to see what new talent the Vikings bring in through this week's NFL Draft.

Jefferson called it "pretty exciting" to have a front-row seat to Minnesota's quarterback competition.

"We have great talent in that room," he said. "So especially for J.J. to get that spark in him and for Kyler to come from Arizona and continue that spark. And [I'm excited to] go through that journey with him."

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