Last season, Sam Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record before the team fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs. Despite Darnold’s success, the team decided to let him walk away as a free agent and turn to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy instead.
Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson clearly thinks that was a mistake.
During a recent interview with USA Today, Justin Jefferson got brutally honest about J.J. McCarthy and the decision to part ways with Darnold, as he admitted that he believes the team would have done better if it had stuck with Darnold rather than moving forward with McCarthy.
When he was asked whether it could be the Vikings in the Super Bowl instead of the Seahawks if Darnold had remained in Minnesota, Jefferson did not hold back.
“Yeah, for sure, definitely,” Jefferson said.
“Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it,” Jefferson told USA Today. “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. But it is what it is, it’s on to newer and better things. But I’m definitely happy and proud of him that he is able to reach it this year.”
The Vikings had a tough year at the quarterback position between McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer, all of whome struggled in the role.
As Darnold now prepares to play in the Super Bowl with the Seahawks, Jefferson admits that he has some mixed feelings. While he’s happy for his former teammate, he does wish he had that success with him.
“It’s definitely tough. It’s tough to watch,” Jefferson said. “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. Of course, selfishly, I wish 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 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.”
Darnold is set to lead the Seahawks against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX next weekend. Unfortunately for Jefferson, he will have to watch as his former teammate competes for the league’s top prize.
About Dave Kelsey
Contributing author to The Comeback.