What is going on in San Francisco?
Things are getting a little awkward in Vikings land. First, Justin Jefferson makes multiple comments about Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy at Radio Row in San Francisco. Now, Aaron Jones publicly backed Darnold on an appearance on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco's podcast.
Jones says the organization should’ve made it work to keep Sam Darnold last year:
“When you got a group of guys behind a QB, and he wants to stay, I think you should try to make it work.”
This is a blunt and honest response, and Jones probably knows he may be on the move next season with a new organization, but the past two days have shone a light on the offensive skill players' true feelings about the decision to let Darnold walk for McCarthy.
Don't worry, Jefferson didn't shy away from another awkward comment today.
The Vikings receiver joined First Things First on FS1 and had this response when asked if he still believes he's the best wide receiver in the NFL.
“How I'm not? A lot of people base it off the QB play. ... If I don’t have an elite QB throwing me the ball the entire year, then it’s a little bit difficult to be in those conversations. Having a young QB that's still learning the game and his potential, you have those difficult seasons, which I had this past year. I still think I'm #1.”
Whew, baby. Outright blaming the quarterback play, which was clearly the issue, by the way, is a choice. These comments will make it hard for Jefferson to support McCarthy and have people believe his sincerity.
Jones continued on Darnold, saying the team had the pieces to contend this season.
"I felt like we had everything we needed (last year), but we are not GMs; that's outside of us."
Jones and Jefferson are speaking for the team with their comments. Saying it out loud isn't ideal, but that doesn't mean they aren't being truthful. The Vikings felt they had a contending team in 2025, and that was derailed by the quarterback choice.
Whether either player will return to Minnesota next season is up in the air, but one thing is certain: the Vikings have to bring in a veteran option or overall upgrade to placate the stars on this team on both sides of the ball.
The NFL stands for "not for long." You can't waste seasons or rosters.