Minnesota Vikings large receiver Justin Jefferson received brutally trustworthy about his crew’s quarterback scenario in a brand new interview.
Jefferson spoke with Prince Grimes of USA Today and was requested about Sam Darnold main the Seattle Seahawks to the Tremendous Bowl one yr after the Vikings let him go. Whereas Jefferson is rooting for Darnold, he admitted it has been “robust” to look at his former teammate succeed elsewhere.
“Yeah, for positive, positively,” Jefferson stated when requested if part of him wished he may have run it again with Darnold. “Everybody is aware of the issue of the quarterback place this yr, how we have been dealt it. Having a quarterback that already had a season underneath his belt with us, knew the performs, knew the playbook, knew the gamers, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I positively really feel like we’d have executed higher. However it’s what it’s, it’s on to newer and higher issues.”
The Vikings infamously opted to let Darnold stroll in free company final yr and switch the place over to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy battled accidents and carried out poorly even when wholesome, throwing 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 video games. That’s a far cry from the 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions Darnold posted for Minnesota final yr, and the 25 touchdowns and 14 picks he had for the Seahawks in 2025.
Jefferson just isn’t making an attempt to throw McCarthy or anybody else underneath the bus. He’s merely stating the plain. The Vikings most likely would have been a playoff crew this season had they saved Darnold. The Vikings have stood by their choice, although it probably played a role in getting their general manager fired.
Jefferson’s manufacturing additionally suffered with the quarterback place being such an issue. Some thought it was bad enough to push him out of the franchise, however he nonetheless appears dedicated, for higher or worse.
