Justin Jefferson Reiterates Stance on Vikings QB Dilemma

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The Minnesota Vikings have three realistic starting quarterback possibilities in 2025: J.J. McCarthy, Sam Darnold, and Daniel Jones.

Justin Jefferson Reiterates Stance on Vikings QB Dilemma

Theoretically, a dark-horse alternative could emerge in the coming weeks and months, but in all likelihood, one of those three men will lead the purple team next season, with McCarthy as the odds-on frontrunner to take the mantle.

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And per Justin Jefferson, the team’s best player (with no debates from anybody), he really doesn’t care who’s slinging the rock on Sundays. He’ll do his job regardless.

“I’m not sure who the quarterback’s going to be. And just like I said last year, it truly doesn’t matter to me personally. It doesn’t matter who’s going to throw me the ball — I’m going to make the most of my opportunities,” Jefferson said Monday on The Pat McAfee Show.

The Vikings, meanwhile, must franchise-tag the aforementioned Darnold by 3:00 pm CST on Tuesday, March 4th, if the club wishes to trade him. All signs point, however, to Darnold hitting open free agency sans a tag and trade.

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Jefferson added, “I’m going to try to make him look like the best quarterback in the NFL, making the contested catches, making those tough catches look easy. Just having that confidence in me and creating that connection — no matter who the quarterback is — that’s the key. And when it’s crunch time, they’ll know who to go to.”

What’s more, Jefferson has remained consistent in his quarterback stance this offseason. “Luckily, that ain’t my decision. I’m sitting back, and I’m waiting for all of these decisions to be made. I’m really just showing up and being myself and making the plays that I make,” Jefferson said last month to Athlon Sports.

Darnold tallied 4,319 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns in 2024. The man performed magnificently through 16 games but regrettably faceplanted in the season’s final two contests against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams. Per fan sentiment, most decided McCarthy felt like a more viable path for the future.

Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what we’re going to do with Sam, if we’re going to bring him back. Of course, J.J. is going to have his opportunity to make some plays and to see if he’s going to be the starter,” Jefferson added in February.

“I’m not sure exactly what we’re going to do with Sam and the moves that we’re going to make, but I’m always confident in myself. It don’t matter who’s going to be throwing the ball. I’m going to make a play for sure.”

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Jefferson’s overall message to the Vikings’ brass? He’ll cook with anybody and everybody.

The ultimate team player.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.