Justin Jefferson: "'We would've done better if Sam Darnold returned"

[SocialParasite]

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: 'I definitely felt like we would've done better' if Sam Darnold returned

After a down year following one of the best in Minnesota Vikings history, Justin Jefferson can't help wondering if his squad might have made the Super Bowl had Sam Darnold simply stayed put.

www.nfl.com

 

[BirdsCommaAngry]

Dude had a good answer.

 

[sutz]

Do they really have the team around the QB as good as Seattle is? I doubt that. Always fun to speculate, I know.

 

[flv2]

I doubt the Vikings had an additional $37.5M to spend. Sure, they're only accounting for $14.4M of that this year, (with the rest of it as dead money over the next few seasons), but signing Darnold would have meant the Vikings didn't sign other players and put those cap hits back.

 

[Jegpeg]

I doubt the Vikings had an additional $37.5M to spend. Sure, they're only accounting for $14.4M of that this year, (with the rest of it as dead money over the next few seasons), but signing Darnold would have meant the Vikings didn't sign other players and put those cap hits back.

Obviously everything is speculation but if the Vikings had signed Sam to the same deal the Seahawks did he would have eaten up $13.4m cap space for them this year. They would not have got Wentz so that is a net $12.2m they woould need to find.

How well they would have done depends on how they found that $12.2m. Extending contracts might have done it but put them in cap trouble in future years, getting a UFA instead of re-signing Aaron Jones would have saved then nearly $8m, and so on.

I think the difference between Sam and McCarthy is such that if they had made the savings in any sensible way they would have been a better team in 2025 than they actually achieved. Whether theywould have got 14 wins again is much more doubtful.

 

[Hockey Guy]

Nah, Max Brosmer was ready.
Can't believe they lost with him under center.

 

[Atradees]

The Vickies had a data guy as GM. It all comes down to that. So who gets called out with that decision?

 

[AROS]

This team is special. The Vikings are not bad but we are way more balanced and talented than them. I doubt they would have made it all the way this year had they kept him. That’s a testament to how good our team is.

 

[glenwo2]

I thought the Vikings should've kept him but glad it worked out the way it did.

Otherwise, I agree that while I do believe Darnold would've bounced back and won a playoff game (or two), that's as far as he would've gone instead of him being here as a Seahawk on the verge of lifting the Lombardi.

 

[Shane Falco]

The thing i find funny about the whole thing is the year before the pundits thought Atlanta were stupid for drafting Penix AND paying for Cousins. Now Minny is stupid for drafting McCarthy and NOT paying Darnold.

 

[Bobblehead]

Read that the UW had a hand in releasing Sam by highlighting McCarthy.'s skills as a qb in their loss to Michigan. So much so, the Vilings drafted him, allowing the Seahawks to sign to sign Darnold. SO THANK YOU Huskies.

 

[flv2]

The thing i find funny about the whole thing is the year before the pundits thought Atlanta were stupid for drafting Penix AND paying for Cousins. Now Minny is stupid for drafting McCarthy and NOT paying Darnold.

...and the Falcons will have Penix and pay for Cousins for the next 2 years...again.

Later edit: This is incorrect. The renegotiation was completed on Jan 3 and not Jan 6. Jan 5 was the deadline for contract changes for players who are going to be released as a Post Jun 1 cut. By completing this renegotiation before the Week 18 games the Falcons are now able to designate Cousins as a Post Jun 1 cut with a $32.9M lower pre-Jun 1 cap number. This will allow them more cap space in free agency.

 

[flv2]

Obviously everything is speculation but if the Vikings had signed Sam to the same deal the Seahawks did he would have eaten up $13.4m cap space for them this year. They would not have got Wentz so that is a net $12.2m they woould need to find.

How well they would have done depends on how they found that $12.2m. Extending contracts might have done it but put them in cap trouble in future years, getting a UFA instead of re-signing Aaron Jones would have saved then nearly $8m, and so on.

I think the difference between Sam and McCarthy is such that if they had made the savings in any sensible way they would have been a better team in 2025 than they actually achieved. Whether theywould have got 14 wins again is much more doubtful.

If they only accounted for $13M or so of Darnold's salary then obviously they'd increase their future dead money situation with the other $24.5M or so. The Vikings weren't, and aren't, in the best cap shape. They would have some even tougher choices for 2026 based on this, (which I haven't examined in detail):

spotrac.com/nfl/cap

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

Does feel like there's a sliding doors moment. What if we had paid geno? What if Minnesota kept darnold and we signed rodgers?

 

[Hawkstud]

Do they really have the team around the QB as good as Seattle is? I doubt that. Always fun to speculate, I know.

They DO NOT, this game isn't going to be as close as some think it will be...Whiskey ain't never lied to me....Well maybe a time or two ;-)

 

[BlueBlood]

Does feel like there's a sliding doors moment. What if we had paid geno? What if Minnesota kept darnold and we signed rodgers?

With Rodgers we are still here all other considerations equal.

 

[Sperrydogg]

This team is special. The Vikings are not bad but we are way more balanced and talented than them. I doubt they would have made it all the way this year had they kept him. That’s a testament to how good our team is.

Yeah no telling if they woulda won 14 again.
I give the credit to Mike not Sam. Like someone up there said we’d be here with Erin too. GeNO? Enh..,

 

[sutz]

Yeah no telling if they woulda won 14 again.
I give the credit to Mike not Sam. Like someone up there said we’d be here with Erin too. GeNO? Enh..,

Well, Mike and JS decided we wouldn't be here with Geno, so I'll go with them on this speculation.

 

[Glasgow Seahawk]

With Rodgers we are still here all other considerations equal.

You think he'd buy into the 12 is one stuff?

Also not convinced he has the mobility to get us here. More than one team would have a game where they'd sack him silly.

 

[flv2]

Does feel like there's a sliding doors moment. What if we had paid geno? What if Minnesota kept darnold and we signed rodgers?

Every big decision is like that. What if Wilson had handed off to Lynch?