Justin Jefferson’s comments about Sam Darnold highlight biggest piece of evidence behind Vikings firing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s

The first Vikings player has made it clear who should have been the Vikings’ starting quarterback.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks on after the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings were in a tough spot coming into the offseason. After a 9-8 season, there were a lot of questions surrounding the future of the team. There weren’t any major changes made for the first three and a half weeks, until Friday afternoon when they fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

The decision was one that many expected, but the timing of it was suspect. Adofo-Mensah represented the Vikings at the Senior Bowl, but was let go the next day. It’s a very odd decision from that perspective, but it wasn’t the only reason why it smells fishy.

Justin Jefferson speaks about Sam Darnold after making the Super Bowl

One thing we are going to get more and more over the next few months. With the Super Bowl coming up next week, we are likely going to hear about it quickly.

Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson made his first appearance this offseason in an interview with USA Today, and opened up about his frustrations with this season. The first of which were about not making the playoffs.

“It’s definitely difficult, especially when you feel like, during the season, things didn’t go the way it should have went,” said Jefferson. And of course, everybody’s expectations before the season is to make it to the Super Bowl, but at least make it to the playoffs. That’s the that’s the first goal, make it to the playoffs and then ride your way into the Super Bowl. But, I mean, it’s a difficult goal to reach.”

Jefferson being frustrated about not making the playoffs is felt by everybody inside and outside of the organization. They certainly had a Super Bowl caliber defense led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, but the quarterback position was the main culprit, as the unit posted the worst EPA/dropback in team history (since 2000).

They made the decision to give the keys to J.J. McCarthy, and did so despite Sam Darnold winning 14 games in 2025. Not only is he thriving with the Seattle Seahawks, but Darnold is starting in the Super Bowl next weekend. That’s not easy for his former teammate in Jefferson.

“You know, it’s tough to watch. I love that he’s in the Super Bowl. I’m happy for him. I want nothing but the best for him, especially the way his his journey was, with people doubting him and not giving him the respect [he deserves]. Now they’re giving him that respect,” Jefferson added. “They’re seeing that he’s a top tier quarterback in this league. And you know, of course, selfishly, I wish that he’s done that for us last year, but you know, to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I’m all happy for him, and I hope he wins. I’m rooting for Seattle, and I think Seattle is going to win.”

It’s one thing to watch your former teammate to thrive elsewhere, but it’s that much worse when your quarterback situation is a disaster. McCarthy was awful for the majority of his snaps, Carson Wentz was exactly what you expect, and Max Brosmer looked completely out of place.

Jefferson was asked directly if he thought Darnold staying one more year would have gotten the Vikings there, and he gave an honest answer.

“Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it,” Jefferson explained. “But having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better. But it is what it is, it’s on to newer and better things. But I’m definitely happy and proud of him that he is able to reach it this year.”

The lack of success for the Vikings this season on offense is the biggest reason why they didn’t make the playoffs, and why Adofo-Mensah lost his job. Sure, we can point to the lack of success in the NFL Draft and seemingly poor communication skills, but the main reason is the quarterback position. They got it wrong, and Adofo-Mensah paid the price.

In his own way, Jefferson said as much without burying McCarthy in the process, and he’s likely not the only one in the building who shares that opinion.

Related Articles