Justin Jefferson Shares Candid Thoughts on Sam Darnold Amid Vikings QB Woes
The Minnesota Vikings faced significant challenges during the recent NFL season, finishing with a 9-8 record. Much of their struggle can be attributed to the underwhelming performance of quarterbacks, particularly J.J. McCarthy. He had 12 interceptions compared to just 11 touchdowns and ranked 40th out of 42 qualified passers in quarterback rating over ten games.
The previous season, the Vikings excelled with Sam Darnold at the helm, who has since joined the Seattle Seahawks as their quarterback. Darnold’s three-year contract with Seattle is valued at $100.5 million, and his departure has proven beneficial for the Seahawks, who emerged as the NFC champions this year.
Justin Jefferson on the Vikings and Darnold
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson recently shared his thoughts on the impact Sam Darnold could have had on the Vikings during an interview with Prince Grimes of USA Today. He reflected on the hardships Minnesota faced at the quarterback position this season.
Jefferson’s Insights
Jefferson stated, “Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year.” He emphasized that having Darnold back, who previously understood the playbook and built rapport with players like Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, would have led to better results. “But it is what it is; it’s on to newer and better things,” he added, expressing pride in Darnold’s achievements with Seattle.
When asked about the potential for a Super Bowl run with Darnold still in Minnesota, Jefferson replied affirmatively, saying, “Yeah, for sure, definitely.”
Quarterback Struggles in 2024
This season, the Vikings incorporated McCarthy, the former Michigan star who was picked 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, an early injury, a torn meniscus, sidelined him for the entire year.
Darnold had previously signed a one-year deal with Minnesota, finishing the last season with impressive stats: 35 touchdowns and 4,319 passing yards. He followed that with 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns before leaving. In McCarthy’s absence, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also took turns as quarterbacks, but the trio managed only 17 touchdowns against 21 interceptions.
Vikings’ Season Overview
The Vikings struggled offensively, finishing 26th in scoring despite having a robust defense that allowed the third-fewest yards per play. The season concluded with management changes, notably the departure of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons. Rob Brzezinski has taken over as executive vice president of football operations on an interim basis leading up to the draft.
- Vikings 2023 Season Record: 9-8
- Key Quarterbacks: J.J. McCarthy, Sam Darnold, Carson Wentz, Max Brosmer
- Darnold’s Stats Last Season: 35 TDs, 4,319 yards
- McCarthy’s Draft Position: 10th overall in 2024
- Darnold’s Seattle Contract: $100.5 million for three years
- Vikings Offensive Rank: 26th in scoring
The Vikings are looking to reestablish themselves in the league as they approach the offseason with hopes for a more successful future.
