NEW ORLEANS — The Minnesota Vikings’ fairy-tale season ended prematurely with a first-round playoff exit, yet star receiver Justin Jefferson feels that quarterback Sam Darnold has shown enough to deserve a second chance.

“I would be thrilled to have Sam (Darnold) back and give it another shot,” Jefferson shared with YSL News Sports during Radio Row on Friday before Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. “It would be fantastic to have him return as the quarterback.”

Darnold guided the Vikings to a 14-3 record, marking the team’s highest regular-season finish since 1998. They made history as the first wild card team to achieve 14 wins, but their hopes for an extended playoff journey were cut short with a 27-9 wild card defeat against the Los Angeles Rams. This loss followed a disappointing Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions, which would have secured the NFC North title and the No. 1 overall seed for the Vikings.

However, Jefferson believes that the team’s recent setbacks do not overshadow the accomplishments they had this season.

“Winning 14 games in this league is challenging, and only losing to two teams throughout the year — Detroit and Los Angeles — is significant,” he noted. “To reach the playoffs with 14 victories and just three losses is no small feat. I would definitely welcome him back to the organization.”

Jefferson added that Darnold’s performance was particularly remarkable given the “negativity” he faced after joining the Vikings in March. Many doubted Darnold’s ability to be a starting quarterback after spending the last two seasons as a backup in San Francisco and Carolina, but he proved his doubters wrong. Darnold completed 361 of 545 passes for 4,319 yards, notched 35 touchdowns, and threw 12 interceptions across 17 games, earning him his first Pro Bowl selection.

“For Sam to handle all that pressure and still play confidently and freely is impressive,” Jefferson said. “I’m glad he showcased to everyone that he’s a great player and capable of excelling in this league.”

Darnold is poised to enter free agency after fulfilling his one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings. It’s uncertain whether he will stay with the team, even with Jefferson’s support. The Vikings also have rookie quarterback J. J. McCarthy, whom they selected as the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft.

“I think JJ will definitely get his shot and chance to prove himself,” Jefferson said about McCarthy, whom he described as a “sponge.” He added, “He’s always eager to learn, consistently asking questions to improve himself both mentally and physically.”