The Minnesota Vikings experienced a sharp decline from a 14-win season in 2024 to a 9-8 record in 2025, ultimately missing the playoffs. The most notable change between seasons was quarterback Sam Darnold’s departure, as he now prepares to play in Super Bowl LX with the Seattle Seahawks. This shift has left wide receiver Justin Jefferson pondering what might have been if Darnold had remained in Minnesota.
Jefferson, speaking with USA Today’s Prince Grimes, acknowledged the challenges the Vikings faced with a new quarterback while expressing admiration for Darnold’s resurgence. “Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, of how we was 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… we definitely would’ve done better. But it is what it is. It’s on to new and better things, but I’m definitely happy and proud for him that he was able to reach it this year.”
Darnold, the third-overall pick in the 2018 draft, revitalized his career in Minnesota in 2024. Initially intended as a bridge quarterback to rookie J.J. McCarthy, a preseason injury to McCarthy cleared the way for Darnold to take the reins. He responded with a career year, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Vikings to one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. Despite this success, Darnold struggled in key moments, including the regular-season finale and the Wild Card Round, which influenced Minnesota’s decision to commit to McCarthy in the following offseason.
McCarthy Struggles Highlight Vikings’ Offensive Decline While Darnold Thrives in Seattle
In contrast, McCarthy struggled throughout 2025, missing seven games due to injury. Minnesota relied on Carson Wentz for five starts and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer for two more, causing a significant drop in offensive production.
McCarthy finished with 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, a stark contrast to Darnold’s 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. The Vikings’ offense fell from ninth in points scored in 2024 to 26th in 2025. Meanwhile, Darnold flourished in Seattle, leading the Seahawks to a franchise-record 14-3 season and a Super Bowl appearance, cementing his status as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.
Darnold’s success with the Seahawks, which includes consecutive Pro Bowl selections and 14-win seasons in back-to-back campaigns, highlights his growth and resilience. Despite an oblique injury during the playoffs, he guided Seattle to the NFC Championship and now to the league’s biggest stage.
Jefferson expressed admiration for Darnold’s journey, noting how the quarterback overcame early doubts and earned recognition as a top-tier NFL player. “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… I’m rooting for Seattle, and I think Seattle’s gonna win,” Jefferson said.
Justin JeffersonJefferson Reflects on Personal Struggles and Motivation Amid Vikings’ Rebuilding Challenges
For Jefferson, 2025 was also a challenging season personally. The star receiver recorded his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season, but his 1,048 yards marked a career low, along with just two touchdown catches, 12.5 yards per reception, 4.9 receptions per game, and 61.6 yards per game. Despite these struggles, Jefferson remained supportive of McCarthy and emphasized that improvement takes time. “It’s building blocks to it. It don’t just happen overnight,” he said.
Jefferson also viewed the season as a personal wake-up call, acknowledging that even elite players experience down periods. “Not every season is going to be the top-tier season. There’s not too many people that have consecutive years dominating the league… it’s just all part of the plan. Just really a wake-up moment that I’ve got to go back to work. Even though I don’t feel that the season was on me, personally I feel like I can do better, personally feel like there are ways to do better and better my craft,” Jefferson explained.
While Minnesota faces the task of rebuilding under a younger quarterback and adjusting its offensive strategy, the narrative of what might have been with Darnold continues to resonate. His trajectory from Minnesota bridge quarterback to Super Bowl contender with Seattle highlights both the unpredictability of NFL careers and the impact a single player can have on a team’s fortunes. For Jefferson, the lessons of 2025, combined with Darnold’s ongoing success, provide both motivation and perspective as he aims to return to elite form in the upcoming season.
The Vikings’ 2025 campaign serves as a cautionary example of how injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and roster transitions can converge to derail a team. At the same time, it underscores the resilience required in professional football, both for quarterbacks like Darnold and star receivers like Jefferson.
