Sam Darnold is busy defying expectations. He has done so in each of the past two seasons, starting with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and followed that solid season by being great for the Seattle Seahawks in 2025. Back-to-back 14-3 seasons tell a person how good the quarterback can be.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson, one of the best players in the NFL, certainly knows how good Darnold can be. He recently said as much while speaking to The Athletic. Without intentionally throwing shade at Minnesota's current starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, the wideout said matter-of-factly how happy he was for Darnold to be playing in the Super Bowl.
Jefferson's words said as much about Darnold as they do the wide receiver. One step further, Jefferson, without meaning to, threw shade at Geno Smith. He was completely correct in his observation and praise, though.
Vikings' Justin Jefferson raves about Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold
"It’s tough to watch. I love that he’s in the Super Bowl," Jefferson said. "I’m happy for him, I want nothing but the best for him, especially the way his journey was at first, people doubting him, and people not giving him the respect. Now they’re giving him the respect. Now they’re seeing that he’s a top-tier quarterback in this league. Of course, selfishly, I wish 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 happy for him, and I hope he wins. I’m rooting for Seattle, and I think Seattle’s gonna win. I’ll be rooting for him.
The truth is that Sam Darnold helped reset the Seahawks' locker room culture after he was signed in free agency last offseason. This was after Seattle traded Geno Smith to the Raiders and DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Many NFL analysts thought the moves would cause Seattle to be far worse than its 10-7 record in 2024.
Darnold, as well as veteran free agent signees Cooper Kupp and DeMarcus Lawrence, made sure that didn't happen. Instead of the volatile Smith and Metcalf, the locker room now had Darnold, Kupp, and Lawrence's poise and calm. That was nearly as important as their on-field productivity.
It seems doubtful that a former teammate would have raved about Darnold and Metcalf the way that Jefferson did Darnold. For a former Vikings teammate, who spent only one season with Minnesota, to be so happy that Darnold is in the Super Bowl speaks volumes about the quarterback as a person.
Of course, Justin Jefferson has enough class to confess when he is missing a player who almost certainly would have helped his team be better this year. Would the Vikings have made the playoffs if Sam Darnold had been with them in 2025? Likely. Thankfully, the Seattle Seahawks don't have to worry about that as their favorite team heads to Super Bowl LX.