Kyler Murray Stunned by What He Found in Minnesota
OTAs have just started in Minnesota and Kyler Murray has quickly established himself as the main attraction in the Twin Cities. The passer was hired to upgrade the Vikings’ underwhelming QB room and got his first passes up in Organized Team Activities.
Murray was cut by the Arizona Cardinals in March and subsequently headed to the State of 10,000 Lakes, signing the cheapest possible one-year deal with the franchise.
That one-year stint includes, at the very least, the chance to compete for a starting job in one of the best offensive ecosystems in the NFL, as the offensive-minded head coach and the receivers are widely respected.
Murray chatted about the receivers in his first media appearance in OTAs.
Will Ragatz posted on social media, “Kyler Murray on the Vikings’ weapons: ‘I don’t know how you can’t love that (WR) room. You look at the skill positions in general, I know it’s widely regarded as one of the most QB-friendly offenses around the league. I’m happy to be here. I’m looking around, it’s kind of an embarrassment of riches around here.'”
Murray has never had a receiver like Justin Jefferson running routes for him — few signal-callers have. The closest thing he had in Arizona was DeAndre Hopkins, who tabulated 1,407 yards with Murray in 2020. Hopkins was good, no doubt, but Jefferson takes it to another level.
He’s still on a record-breaking pace, though the 2025 production suffered from the subpar quarterback play. Yet, unchanged is the fact that he has set the all-time record for receiving yards in a player’s first six seasons. Of course, he also holds the record for the first two, three, four, and five years.
Jefferson can run routes with the best of them, catch passes others wouldn’t even bother to try, and is the anti-diva receiver. So far, the classic diva element elite receivers usually bring to the table hasn’t even flashed.
The best thing is that he’s not alone. Minnesota’s offense runs through him, but if the defense is keying in, whoever is under center has other weapons to throw to. That certainly includes Jordan Addison, who’s set to enter his fourth year in the pros.
Addison is another explosive playmaker. Despite his below-average size, he is a contested catch demon and he can blow past defenders as a vertical threat. The 2023 first-rounder ranks seventh in the NFL in receiving touchdowns since entering the league. His redzone prowess meshes well with the attention Jefferson gets in that area. Through three seasons, Addison has been the perfect WR2. Only off-field issues have clouded the great start to his career.
As if that’s not enough for defenses to deal with, the Vikings recently added Jauan Jennings. Let go by the 49ers, the Vikings snagged him on a one-year deal shortly after the draft. Jennings averaged over 800 yards and 7.5 touchdowns over the last two campaigns and brings the big-body element to the table that the top duo lacks. The veteran is an elite blocking receiver.
The Vikings also have tight end T.J. Hockenson, who hopes that Murray can help him put up some numbers in his contract season. Since the torn ACL in 2023, Hockenson hasn’t been his old self. Just like Murray, he’ll have a chip on his shoulder in 2026.
In the backfield, Minnesota employs Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, as well as rookie Demond Claiborne. Though neither is an elite back at this point, they form a functional group with a good mix of do-it-all back, bruiser, and speedster. There are undoubtedly worse backfields in the NFL.
Murray knew the Vikings had talent before signing in Minnesota. Seeing it up close at OTAs only reinforced why this was one of the most attractive landing spots in football.
Now comes the important part. The weapons are there, Kevin O’Connell’s system is in place and the Vikings believe they can revive another veteran quarterback. Murray still has to win the job and prove he can consistently deliver at a high level again.
But if he does, the Vikings suddenly have the kind of offense defenses hate dealing with — explosive, versatile, and loaded with answers all over the field.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.