“It's not my job”: Vikings Justin Jefferson is unconcerned who plays for the team next season

Following a postseason exit, the Minnesota Vikings have many offseason decisions to come to, with the most urgent being at quarterback. Veteran Sam Darnold, who was putting up a career performance until rookie J.J. McCarthy got hurt, has been terrible the final stretch of the season and even lost in this wild-card round to the Los Angeles Rams.

With Darnold either sitting on the bench or leaving for free agency, it is probably going to be handed over to McCarthy, and head coach Kevin O'Connell signaled that in a post-game presser. Whoever they choose, though, at least star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, a key piece of Minnesota's offense, is unconcerned.

Justin Jefferson doesn't care who plays QB for the Vikings

Minnesota Vikings fans have not had a great end to the season, particularly with their 27-9 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams, which has further intensified chatter surrounding quarterback for the upcoming season with Sam Darnold becoming a free agent and J.J. McCarthy returning from a torn meniscus. Superstar wideout Justin Jefferson chimed in on these discussions.

Justin Jefferson believes the decision to choose a quarterback for the 2025 season is based on the coaches' and front office's decision. He believes the offense can work with either McCarthy or Darnold, as he recorded 103 receptions, 1,533 yards, and 10 touchdowns this season with Darnold. Jefferson will continue to trust Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in selecting the starting quarterback. Whoever they choose Jefferson is unconcerned.


"I didn't know who my quarterback was going to be [after last season], and I really didn't care," Jefferson said Monday night, per ESPN. "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.”

The Minnesota Vikings were playing the Detroit Lions for the NFC number one seed and first round bye. However, quarterback Darnold's team was not so lucky, losing 31-9 in the game. This led to the same outcome in the NFL's Wild Card round eight days later.

The Lions' offense scored nine points in two games, and it was a very poor performance by Darnold on the big stage. He missed multiple easy throws, including touchdowns, and took nine sacks against the Rams. He also had two terrible turnovers, including a fumble-touchdown for the Rams. Despite a great regular season, Darnold's performance in big games is lacking, and it is time to hand over the keys to J.J. McCarthy.

Also Read: ESPN announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman highlight Sam Darnold's playoff challenges could hurt free agency prospects

McCarthy was expected to be the starter after he was taken as a first-round pick in the 2024 draft for the Minnesota Vikings. He ended up tearing his meniscus in a preseason game, so he's ruled out for the season. Darnold has had to play in the playoffs, and McCarthy will have to be the starting quarterback.