Doug Pederson takes a cheeky jibe at Sam Darnold by giving Justin Jefferson all the credit for Vikings’ success this season

Doug Pederson believes Justin Jefferson deserves more credit for the Vikings' success than Sam Darnold.

Doug Pederson takes a cheeky jibe at Sam Darnold by giving Justin Jefferson all the credit for Vikings’ success this season

Doug Pederson credits Justin Jefferson for the Vikings' success over Sam Darnold (Image Credits: L-via IMAGO, C-via Imago, R- via AP)

The Minnesota Vikings have proved to be the biggest underdogs of the NFL season. The team started the season with a solid 5-0 run before losing two consecutive games. However, they got back to their winning ways after beating the Colts earlier this week. The majority of the credit for the team’s success has gone to Sam Darnold, who has thrown the longest pass of the season so far.

But one Head Coach thinks that the Vikings are good because of who they have at wide receiver and not at quarterback. When Doug Pederson of the Jacksonville Jaguars was asked his thoughts about Sam Darnold’s success this season, he had a simple response.

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Justin Jefferson. Because you were thinking it…I think the talent around him that helps, having the run game, the defense, you know being in coach McConnell’s system and the way he calls plays I think is helpful.

Doug Pederson on Justin Jefferson

Pederson attributed the QB’s success to the situation he finds himself in. Sam Darnold is in a great organization that has given him the necessary weapons on offense and has made significant moves to build a solid defense.

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Doug Pederson may not believe the quarterback deserves full credit for the team’s success, but he gave props to Darnold for his growth.

He’s always been a solid quarterback and whatever team or role he’s on, I just think now he’s learning, maturing and showing he’s capable of doing it. That’s what you’re seeing on film, taking care of the football, that’s a big part of this thing.

Doug Pederson added

The Vikings found themselves in a difficult position after the departure of Kirk Cousins, but Sam Darnold appeared in the form of a white knight and has taken over seamlessly.

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Sam Darnold had a rough start to his career in the NFL

The quarterback was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018. He spent three seasons with the team throwing for over 2,000 yards twice and over 3,000 yards in his second year. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021, where he spent two seasons, before moving to San Francisco and ending up with the Vikings.

Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold (Image via IMAGO)

When the season began, Sam Darnold was expected to hold the fort down and ensure the Vikings did not land up at the bottom of their division. However, after this year, he is likely to be the team’s starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.

The Vikings have two solid options at quarterback—Darnold, and J.J. McCarthy—although the latter is yet to prove that he can be good in the NFL.

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The Vikings will go up against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Sam Darnold will get an opportunity to make Doug Pederson eat his words by putting up yet another good performance. The team has a simple stretch to cap off the season and is likely to go 6-3 in the second half.