Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has drawn attention for his remarks regarding Sam Darnold, who has led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl.
Now, the QB has returned the favor. Darnold and Jefferson were, of course, teammates on the 2024 Vikings, making the postseason after a 14-win campaign. The wideout believes the 2025 iteration of the squad would have fared better with Darnold under center.
Notably, Darnold spoke candidly about his experience with the Vikings’ All-World playmaker.
Former Vikings QB Sam Darnold Gets Honest About Justin Jefferson
GettyJustin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings hugs Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings after a game.
Darnold was speaking with reporters during his media availability at the Super Bowl, which in and of itself is a blow to Jefferson and the Vikings. He noted how Jefferson helped unlock his inner playmaker.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with a ton of great … receivers,” Darnold said on February 2. “Justin, of course, being one of them. He’s so talented. And, just, I feel like he taught me a lot about, sometimes, it’s about players, not plays. Sometimes, you just gotta get that guy the ball. So, I was always looking for him if I ever needed him on a big third down or in the red zone.”
“He’s a great player who can just find the void in any defense.”
Darnold unequivocally employed that mindset for the Seahawks this season, with teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba leading the NFL in receiving yards during the regular season.
Jefferson logged his sixth consecutive season with over 1,000 yards in 2025, with McCarthy, former MVP candidate-turned-journeyman Carson Wentz, and rookie undrafted free agent Max Brosmer all throwing him the football at some point.
However, Jefferson’s 1,048 yards were a career low, including his 10-game season in 2023.
Jefferson is signed through 2028 on a four-year, $140 million contract. Speculation about his future will only increase if the Vikings fail to resolve their QB situation.
Vikings Created Polarizing Situation
GettyJustin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on after a game against the Chicago Bears.
Jefferson was supportive of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy throughout the second-year QB’s tumultuous first season, despite the veteran wideout’s visible frustration. That is not all on McCarthy, who played in 10 games during an injury-marred season for him and the team.
However, the situation is a microcosm of the Vikings’ approach.
Minnesota did its best to clear the runway for McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason opener.
In one way or another, they passed Darnold, Daniel Jones, and even Aaron Rodgers. This offseason, which officially begins on March 11, the Vikings have already been linked to several QB options, both to compete with and outright replace McCarthy.
That includes suggestions of a reunion with Kirk Cousins.
The Vikings already fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, with Rob Brzezinski replacing him on an interim basis. They also face a significant salary cap crunch.
What a new GM means for Jefferson–or McCarthy and even head coach Kevin O’Connell, for that matter–going forward remains to be seen. Jefferson is undoubtedly one of the most talented players at his position, if not No. 1.
However, Jefferson also has to maximize his time in the NFL, be it with the Vikings or not.
Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Gets Strong Message From QB After Polarizing Comments