Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson expressed a myriad of emotions when it comes to the upcoming Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
Jefferson was catching passes a year ago from Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, the Vikings were in a similar spot to the Seahawks: a 14-3 record and shot at the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Instead, the Vikings lost in the playoffs as a Wild Card team and let Darnold walk in free agency.
“It’s definitely tough. It’s tough to watch,” Jefferson told USA TODAY Sports on Jan. 30. “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.”
“Of course, selfishly, I wish that he had done that for us last year, 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,” Jefferson continued. “I’m rooting for Seattle and I think Seattle’s gonna win. I’ll be rooting for him.”
Sam Darnold Earned Respect in Minnesota
When Darnold came to the Vikings in 2024, he fell into the doubting category at that point amid a journeyman career that hadn’t panned out after being a No. 3 pick in 2018.
Darnold couldn’t turnaround the New York Jets, and the team sent him to the Carolina Panthers, where things didn’t improve. He then joined the San Francisco 49ers, where he remained a backup behind Brock Purdy.
Darnold quietly improved in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s system that year, and the former USC star gained Super Bowl experience since the 49ers made it that far. Darnold’s departure for the Vikings was only expected to be a veteran backup or a bridge quarterback amid the J.J. McCarthy selection at No. 10 in the 2024 draft.
However, Darnold did more than expected when McCarthy missed the season due to meniscus surgery. Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns as the Vikings became one of the league’s top teams.
Minnesota simply didn’t want to flip the bill to keep Darnold, and Seattle became the beneficiary of the quarterback’s career turnaround. Darnold will be the first quarterback from his draft class to start a Super Bowl, and that’s an impressive list with Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Baker Mayfield among his peers.
Justin Jefferson Wasn’t the Same After Sam Darnold
Jefferson produced big with Darnold’s career year in 2024 with 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns.
While the Vikings were touted as a quarterback-friendly offense, Jefferson couldn’t find the same success with McCarthy and when Carson Wentz or Max Brosmer had to start. Jefferson only had 84 receptions, 1,048 yards, and two touchdowns in 2025.
That has sparked questions about Jefferson’s future in Minnesota as the team has yet to find an answer at quarterback since Darnold left last year.
Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Doesn’t Hold Back on Super Bowl Choice