The shift coincled with leadership turmoil, as former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah expressed regrets about letting Darnold leave—remarks delivered just days before his own dismissal.
Justin Jefferson, the Vikings’ top wideout, endured his weakest year as a pro in 2025, yet still exceeded 1,000 receiving yards for the sixth straight season. He posted fewer total yards in 17 games than he did during 10 games in 2023.
On the Sports Seriously podcast, Jefferson offered blunt reflections about how 2025 might have unfolded had Darnold remained with Minnesota, saying the QB’s prior familiarity with the plays, playbook, and receivers would have mattered for him, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson.
Jefferson also suggested that a Darnold-led Vikings could have made a Super Bowl run in 2024, noting, “Yeah, for sure, I mean definitely,” if the team had stayed on that path. He has nevertheless continued to support McCarthy publicly in recent weeks.
Despite the on-field frustrations with his current quarterback, Jefferson’s comments indicate he believes the franchise could have charted a different course had the decision at quarterback taken a different route last offseason.
More to follow. This recap draws on reporting from Heavy Sports, which published the original article, Justin Jefferson Delivers Blunt Take On Vikings’ Sam Darnold Decision.
