Justin Jefferson isn’t one to throw teammates under the bus. All season long, the Vikings’ All-Pro wideout stood behind J.J.
McCarthy - even as the rookie quarterback battled through growing pains, injuries, and the weight of expectation. But in a recent interview, Jefferson allowed a bit of honest reflection to peek through - and it centered on a familiar face now preparing for the biggest game of his life.
That face? Sam Darnold.
Yes, the same Darnold who, less than a year ago, was suiting up in purple and gold. The same Darnold who, after a rocky finish to his Vikings tenure, is now one win away from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Seattle Seahawks. And according to Jefferson, if Darnold had stayed in Minnesota, the Vikings might be the ones gearing up for Super Bowl Sunday.
“Yeah, for sure, definitely,” Jefferson said when asked if the Vikings could’ve made a Super Bowl run with Darnold still under center. “Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it.
Having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys - I definitely feel like we would have done better.”
That’s not a shot at McCarthy - it’s a nod to continuity, chemistry, and the value of experience in a league that rarely waits for anyone to catch up. Darnold, for all the ups and downs of his career, had logged meaningful time in Kevin O’Connell’s system.
He’d built timing with Jefferson and the rest of the offense. And while his final two starts in Minnesota were far from flawless, he still helped guide the team to 14 regular-season wins in 2024.
Meanwhile, McCarthy - the 2024 first-round pick - has been thrown into the fire. He’s made just 10 starts, tossed 12 interceptions, and now finds himself in the middle of a franchise reset.
The executive who drafted him is already out. The leash is short.
The expectations are high. And Jefferson, like many in the locker room, is left to wonder what might’ve been.
Still, there’s no bitterness in Jefferson’s voice when he talks about Darnold. Just a little bit of what-if, mixed with genuine pride.
“It’s tough to watch,” he admitted. “I love that he’s in the Super Bowl.
I’m happy for him. I want nothing but the best for him - especially the way his journey was at first, people doubting him and people not giving him the respect.
Now they’re giving him the respect. Now they’re seeing that he’s a top-tier quarterback in this league.”
That’s high praise from one of the NFL’s premier playmakers. And it’s earned.
Darnold’s path to this moment wasn’t linear. He’s bounced around, battled injuries, and carried the “bust” label more than once.
But now, in Seattle, he’s found stability - and success. He’s got the Seahawks favored by 4.5 points over the Patriots heading into Super Bowl LX, and he’s the betting favorite to take home Super Bowl MVP honors.
“Of course, selfishly, I wish he had done that for us last year,” Jefferson added. “But to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I’m happy for him, and I hope he wins.
I’m rooting for Seattle, and I think Seattle’s gonna win. I’ll be rooting for him.”
That’s the reality of the NFL - sometimes, the guy who just left your building ends up on the game’s biggest stage. And sometimes, the young quarterback you’re trying to build around is still trying to find his footing.
For Jefferson, it’s about looking forward. But it’s also about recognizing what was lost - and what could’ve been.