Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Sounds Off on Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy Debate

It seems as though nothing can ever be easy or simple in the NFL (unless maybe you’re the Kansas City Chiefs), and the Minnesota Vikings are re-learning that lesson over and again the hard way following a crushing end to their season on Monday night.

The Los Angeles Rams rolled over Minnesota by a score of 27-9, ending what was an unexpected and impressive 14-3 campaign by the Vikings. One more win in Week 18 and the team wouldn’t have even played on Super Wild Card Weekend, however they’re now out of the tournament and exited in embarrassing fashion.

The situation the franchise faces at quarterback is even more vexing, as it has two solid options in Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, but is also absent enough information to be certain about the correct choice.

Following the game, reporters asked star wide receiver Justin Jefferson about the circumstances under center — which could include an extension for Darnold, a transition to McCarthy or the eventual trade of either player in the coming months.

“It’s the same type of situation [as] last year — I didn’t know who was my quarterback, and I really didn’t care at the end of the day. I always say that I’m confident in myself to go out there and still perform the same way I’ve been performing,” Jefferson said. “But it’s not my job to say who’s going to be the quarterback, who I want 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.”

Jefferson’s confidence and humility are refreshing, though it strains credulity that he doesn’t have an opinion/preference for his quarterback moving forward, or that the team wouldn’t at least consult him before making a final decision.

The wideout certainly didn’t give a ringing endorsement of Darnold following a game in which the QB turned the ball over twice and took 9 sacks. But, in fairness, Jefferson didn’t endorse McCarthy, either.

In any case, how the Vikings choose to move forward at quarterback will remain one of the biggest storylines of the offseason until a call is made.