Live Update: Justin Jefferson Stays Neutral in Vikings’ Quarterback Debate
Five seasons into his NFL career, Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson is still chasing his first playoff win. After a season-ending 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Jefferson weighed in on the team’s quarterback dilemma but refused to pick sides between Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy.
Darnold delivered a transformative performance during the 2024 season, stepping up as a starter and becoming the first quarterback to win 14 games in their debut season with a new team. He finished in the top five in several passing categories during the regular season. However, back-to-back poor performances in the season’s final games have shifted some attention to McCarthy, the Vikings’ 10th overall pick last April.
While McCarthy, who turns 22 next week, is seen as an untapped talent with a clean slate, Darnold led a top-10 scoring offense to the playoffs, making the decision anything but straightforward.
Jefferson: “It’s Not My Job to Choose” Speaking after the loss, Jefferson likened the current quarterback situation to last year’s uncertainty about Kirk Cousins, emphasizing that his focus remains on his own performance.
“It’s the same type of situation as last year. I didn’t know who my quarterback was, and I really didn’t care at the end of the day,” Jefferson said in the locker room. “I’m confident in myself to go out there and still perform the same way I’ve been performing. But it’s not my job to say who’s going to be the quarterback. At the end of the day, they’re going to figure it out, and whoever they decide to go with, we’re going to work with that.“
Defending Sam Darnold While Jefferson avoided taking sides, he was quick to defend Darnold following the team’s disappointing performance against the Rams.
“Our team performance as a whole hasn’t been great—not just Sam,” Jefferson explained. “I would never blame Sam for the losses or the struggles we’ve been having. It’s a whole team thing. We just have to look in the mirror.“
Minnesota’s offense struggled mightily in its final two games, scoring just nine points in each. A critical Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions knocked the Vikings down to the No. 5 seed, forcing them into a rematch with the Rams, who had already defeated them 30-20 in the regular season. The playoff matchup proved to be even more one-sided.
Eyes on the Future Despite the frustrating end to the season, Jefferson remains focused on the bigger picture. After signing a four-year, $140 million extension last summer, Jefferson is under contract with the Vikings through 2028 and is committed to helping the team take the next step.
“It’s definitely tough. Any loss in the playoffs is tough. I haven’t seemed to get a playoff win yet in my career,” Jefferson admitted. “I’m still chasing and striving, but it’s tough having this type of season with as close as we are as a team. But, you know, there’s still more work to be done.“
For now, the Vikings face a pivotal offseason as they navigate their quarterback situation and aim to build on the success of their 14-3 regular season. Meanwhile, Jefferson remains the cornerstone of an offense with championship aspirations.
