Justin Jefferson Reflects on Sam Darnold’s Super Bowl Run - and What Could’ve Been in Minnesota
Sam Darnold is headed to the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks, but for Vikings fans - and especially for star wideout Justin Jefferson - there’s a lingering sense of “what if?”
Before Darnold found his groove in Seattle, he was putting together a quietly impressive season in Minnesota. Just last year, he led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season record, delivering strong numbers while slinging passes to one of the league’s premier receiving corps.
But that campaign ended in disappointment, with a late-season stumble and a quick playoff exit. Fast forward to this season, and Darnold has not only replicated that regular-season success with Seattle - he’s pushed through the postseason, avoiding the collapse that haunted him in Minnesota.
Meanwhile, the Vikings were left trying to pick up the pieces. Injuries and inconsistency at quarterback derailed their season, and they missed the playoffs entirely. For Jefferson, who’s used to rewriting record books, the 2025 campaign was one of his least productive - not for lack of effort, but because of the revolving door under center.
In a recent interview, Jefferson didn’t shy away from the emotional complexity of watching his former quarterback thrive on the game’s biggest stage.
“It’s definitely tough. It’s tough to watch,” Jefferson admitted.
“Of course, 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 that respect. Now they’re seeing that he’s a top-tier quarterback in this league."
There’s no bitterness in Jefferson’s tone - just the honest reflection of a competitor who knows what might’ve been.
“Of course, selfishly, I wish that he had done that for us last year,” he continued. “But to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I’m all happy for him, and I hope he wins.
I’m rooting for Seattle and I think Seattle’s going to win. I’ll be rooting for him.”
Jefferson’s support for Darnold is genuine, but it also underscores the chaos the Vikings faced at quarterback this season. Minnesota drafted J.J.
McCarthy in 2024, with hopes that the rookie could be the long-term answer. But McCarthy suffered a season-ending meniscus injury in the preseason, never taking a regular-season snap.
That left the Vikings scrambling.
Carson Wentz stepped in as McCarthy’s backup, but he too went down with a season-ending injury. That left undrafted rookie Max Brosmer to take the reins - and while he stayed healthy, he looked every bit like a third-stringer thrust into a starting role.
Jefferson, never one to make excuses, still acknowledged the uphill battle.
“Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it,” he said. “But 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."
“It is what it is. It’s on to new and better things, but I’m definitely proud that he is able to reach it this year.”
There’s no denying the Vikings’ offense had the talent. Jefferson, Addison, and Hockenson form one of the league’s most dynamic skill-position trios.
But without stability at quarterback, the unit never found its rhythm. And that makes Darnold’s departure - and subsequent success - sting just a little more.
The decision not to bring Darnold back, whether via free agency or a franchise tag, has drawn scrutiny - and may have played a role in the team parting ways with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. It’s a move that looks even more significant now that Darnold is preparing to take the field on Super Bowl Sunday.
Still, Jefferson isn’t dwelling on the past. He’s turning the page - but not before giving his former QB a well-earned shoutout.
“Seattle’s got a great all-around team,” Jefferson said. “Even more so after adding Darnold.”
And with that, one of the NFL’s brightest stars will be watching the Super Bowl like the rest of us - pulling for his former teammate, and wondering just how close Minnesota was to being the team on that stage.