The Minnesota Vikings sent their general manager packing following Sam Darnold’s performance in the NFC Championship Game. The sting of how they could have retained him still lingers among fans and analysts alike.
Star receiver Justin Jefferson didn’t hold back when comparing Darnold to the current quarterback, JJ McCarthy. “Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it,” Jefferson 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.”
### Vikings WR Justin Jefferson’s Numbers Tell a Plain Story
With Darnold under center, Jefferson caught 103 passes for 1,533 yards with 10 touchdowns. However, in 2025, with McCarthy starting 10 games, Jefferson finished with 84 catches for 1,048 yards but a surprisingly low two touchdowns.
Despite McCarthy’s struggles and missing 25 games over his first two seasons, Jefferson hasn’t given up on the young quarterback. Still, it’s been tough for him to watch Darnold thrive with the Seattle Seahawks.
“It’s definitely tough,” Jefferson admitted. “It’s tough to watch. 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, 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. I’m rooting for Seattle, and I think Seattle’s going to win. I’ll be rooting for him.”
### The Vikings’ Quarterback Conundrum
The decision to part ways with Darnold, though widely accepted among NFL “experts,” has led to turmoil within the Vikings organization. Now, as they wait for McCarthy to develop, their hopes rest on his ability to guide the team back into playoff contention.
Unfortunately, McCarthy’s stats don’t inspire much confidence. His 57.6% completion percentage, along with more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11), paint a challenging picture for Minnesota’s future at quarterback.
The Vikings must now navigate this uncertain quarterback situation and hope that McCarthy can live up to the expectations set before him. Until then, the shadow of “what could have been” with Sam Darnold continues to loom large.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-justin-jefferson-quiet-part-sam-darnold-j-j-mccarthy