Justin Jefferson: Sam Darnold's moves in training will definitely be postponed until Sunday

After JJ McCarthy's season-ending knee surgery, Sam Darnold will complete the 2024 season as Minnesota's starting quarterback.

That's not a problem for star receiver Justin Jefferson, as he signed a record-breaking contract extension with the club in the offseason.

In an interview with Ben Goessling from the Minnesota Star-TribuneJefferson stressed that he has confidence in Darnold because the two have gotten along well all summer – especially in the red zone.

“Those are the moneymakers there,” said Jefferson. “That's an area where we had problems last year. The games he makes, [in practices] will definitely Transition to Sundays.”

While Jefferson certainly had a connection to current Falcons starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, whoever throws the ball to him today should feel more confident that he will get through it no matter what.

“It will be different,” Jefferson said. “But I want them to have the same confidence in me to go out and do something, just like Kirk did on those occasions and in those situations. I want them to have more confidence than Kirk did. Kirk is more comfortable in the system, [with] He tried it out early in Washington. This should just give them an extra boost and extra confidence. I want to go and play for them whenever they give me the chance.”

“I just try to give the quarterbacks the confidence to throw me those 50-50 jump balls,” Jefferson added. “Sometimes it's a little hard for them to really give me a chance because they know I'm going to get them. It's hard to read the different plays and their normal routines. But when I have that matchup or they see it's that type of play, I always try to tell them in the back of their minds that if it gets ugly, they have me as an option.”

Jefferson, 25, has caught 392 passes for 5,899 yards with 30 touchdowns in his four seasons. Despite playing in only 10 games last year, he finished the season with 68 catches, 1,074 yards and five touchdowns.