Justin Jefferson: 'Not My Job to Say Who Is Going to Be' Vikings' QB or Who 'I Want'

Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson didn't exactly offer a ringing endorsement of Sam Darnold when asked about the team's quarterback situation for 2025.

"I didn't know who my quarterback was going to be [after last season], and I really didn't care," he said after Monday's 27-9 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "At the end of the day, I'll always say that I'm confident in myself to perform the same way I've been performing. But it's not my job to say who is going to be the quarterback or who do 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 can work with that."

Heading into the final week of the regular season, it looked a safe bet that Darnold would return to Minnesota in some form. Maybe the Vikings would apply the franchise tag or sign him to an extension that would raise questions over the future of rookie QB J.J. McCarthy.

Then Darnold went 18-of-41 for 166 yards in a 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18 with the NFC North title on the line. He wasn't much better against the Rams, throwing for 245 yards, one touchdown and one interception while getting sacked nine times.

At the risk of making a knee-jerk reaction, the idea of paying Darnold $40 million or more per year suddenly looks a lot less enticing.

When it comes to Jefferson, what he didn't say after the game could be telling.

The Vikings were in a similar position last offseason with Kirk Cousins hitting free agency. With the quarterback position in flux, Jefferson expressed confidence in his own abilities regardless of who was under center, but he also signaled his hope that Cousins would return.

Maybe the two-time All-Pro feels the same way about Darnold.

It would be unfair to assume his postgame comments in the heat of the moment represent his full opinion. In the weeks ahead, he may lobby for Darnold in the same way he did for Cousins.

For now, Jefferson's remarks will add to the uncertainty over the Vikings' quarterback room.