Vikings WR Justin Jefferson has unique description for Sam Darnold's passes

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson received a massive four-year, $140M contract extension that included $110M guaranteed this offseason after the club made quarterback J.J. McCarthy the 10th overall pick of this year's draft, but before McCarthy was lost for his rookie season due to his need a full meniscus repair.

Jefferson offered some unique praise for veteran Sam Darnold after those inside the Vikings locker room learned that Darnold will be their QB1 until further notice.

"This is my first time being around Sam and having him throw to me," Jefferson told NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic during the latest edition of the "Scoop City" podcast, as shared by Jonathan Harrison of Sports Illustrated. "To see the balls that he throws, especially the go balls, the deep balls, it was right in the hands and it feels like a soft pillow. He's been doing a great job trying to learn and build that chemistry with the whole team."

Hyping Darnold's arm talent has become something of an unexpected tradition in the NFL offseason. Last spring , a San Francisco 49ers reporter noted how Darnold "might be...the most talented thrower of the football that the 49ers have ever had." Of course, Darnold spent the bulk of his only campaign with the Niners as a backup behind regular-season Most Valuable Player Award finalist Brock Purdy.

As for McCarthy, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell recently told Russini that the first-year pro "was just getting better and better every single day" and had shown he ws "the right guy" to eventually serve as Minnesota's long-term starter. Jefferson mentioned during the interview that the 21-year-old McCarthy will "be in the building, around us, all year" as he continues to learn O’Connell’s system and play concepts while recovering from surgery.

"He's a sponge that wants to grab as much information as he can," Jefferson added about McCarthy. "Always asking questions on how to become that top-tier quarterback . Just trying to learn the offense as a whole. I told him coming in as a rookie, he has to have that confidence. He has to carry himself with that confidence every time he's on that field."

It's far too early to say what McCarthy will and won't be after he spends his rookie season learning about life in the NFL as a sidelined spectator. As for the 2024 Vikings, DraftKings Sportsbook had them at +300 betting odds to make the playoffs on Friday afternoon.

Jefferson, Darnold, O’Connell and others with the club will look to respond to such forecasts beginning with Minnesota's regular-season opener at the New York Giants on Sept. 8.