Justin Jefferson says Vikings 'would've done better' with Sam Darnold

You never know what you have until it's gone – just ask theMinnesota Vikings.

That reality hasn't been lost onJustin Jefferson, who has wondered how different things could've been if the Vikings didn't letSam Darnoldleave in free agency after the 2024 season.

"Everyone knows the difficulty of the quarterback position this year, how we were dealt it,"Jefferson told USA TODAY Sports. "But having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me,Jordan Addison,T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better."

The 2024 season was a breakout one for Darnold. Originally an insurance option behind rookieJ.J. McCarthy, Darnold claimed the starting job after McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record before falling short in the playoffs. He would depart in free agency for theSeattle Seahawksas Minnesota opted to hitch its wagon to McCarthy. One year later, Darnold led the Seahawks to a 14-3 regular season record and is preparing to start in Super Bowl 60.

The Vikings missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record and instead got to watch their former quarterback's success from afar.

"It's definitely tough. It's tough to watch," Jefferson said about Darnold's success after leaving the Vikings. "Of course, I love that he's in the Super Bowl. I'm happy for him, I want nothing but the best for him, especially the way his journey was at first, people doubting him and people not giving him the respect. Now they're giving him that respect. Now they're seeing that he's a top-tier quarterback in this league.

"Of course, selfishly, I wish that he had done that for us last year, but to see him blossom and bounce back right after last year and make it this year, I'm all happy for him, and I hope he wins. I'm rooting for Seattle and I think Seattle's going to win. I'll be rooting for him."

Super Bowl VII (Dolphins 14, Washington 7): Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Manny Fernandez (75) tackles Washington running back Larry Brown (43) in Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins completed a 17-0 undefeated season with the win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVI (49ers 26, Bengals 21): San Francisco 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott (42) celebrates a goal line stand against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVII (Washington 27, Dolphins 17): Washington running back John Riggins (44) breaks loose from Miami Dolphins defensive back Don McNeal (28) on a 43-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVIII (Raiders 38, Washington 9): Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) carries the ball against Washington safety Mark Murphy (29) during Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXII (Washington 42, Broncos 10): Washington quarterback Doug Williams (17) looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXIV (49ers 55, Broncos 10) : San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) celebrates with teammates against the Denver Broncos at the Superdome. The 55 points scored by the 49ers remains a Super Bowl record.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXVI (Washington 37, Bills 24): Washington cornerback Alvoid Mays (20) hits Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (12), causing him to fumble during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XL (Steelers 21, Seahawks 10): Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward jumps in the air and scores after catching a 43-yard touchdown pass from fellow wideout Antwaan Randle El.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 51 (Patriots 34, Falcons 28 - OT): New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman hauls in a catch off a deflected pass that would help New England mount the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The game also featured the first ever overtime in a Super Bowl.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 53 (Patriots 13, Rams 3): Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore makes a pivotal interception in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the win, the Patriots tied the Steelers for most Super Bowl victories (six).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 55 (Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9): Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski spikes the football after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 56 (Rams 23, Bengals 20): Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches the game-winning touchdown pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple defends at SoFi Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 57 (Chiefs 38, Eagles 35): The Chiefs' Kadarius Toney (19) is tackled by the Philadelphia Eagles' Nakobe Dean (17) and Arryn Siposs (8) after a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return at State Farm Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 58 (Chiefs 25, 49ers 22, OT): Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday

While the former Vikings thrived in the Pacific Northwest, the Minnesota was dealing with growing pains from McCarthy, who struggled in his first action as a pro. The young quarterback also dealt with injuries, forcing the team to start three different quarterbacks throughout the season.

The revolving door helped result in the worst season of Jefferson's career to this point, posting career-low marks in receiving yards (1,048), touchdowns (2) and yards per reception (12.5) despite playing in all 17 games.

Those numbers kept the star receiver out of the Pro Bowl, which he wasn't happy about either.

"Oh, trust me, I was pissed off I wasn't a Pro Bowler this year,"Jefferson said. "Just with the (difficult) season and still having 1,000 yards, I always try to be consistent and in the Pro Bowls."

The four-time Pro Bowler wants to surpass the Vikings' career Pro Bowl appearances by a single player, which is held by eight-time Pro Bowler, Cris Carter.

"[A Pro Bowl selection] classifies you as one of the best in the league," Jefferson said. "So it's definitely tough not being a part of that this year, but I'm determined. That gives me more juice to put that work in for me not to be in this situation next year."

While Darnold won't be walking through the Vikings' door anytime soon, Jefferson and Co. will get back to work in the hopes that 2026 is a return to form for everyone in Minnesota.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Justin Jefferson on Sam Darnold's Seahawks success: 'Tough to watch'

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February 02, 2026

Justin Jefferson says Vikings 'would've done better' with Sam Darnold

You never know what you have until it's gone – just ask theMinnesota Vikings. That reality hasn't been l...

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends awarding Peace Prize to Trump

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended his organization's controversial decision toaward Donald Trump its inaugural Peace Prize.

The U.S. president was presented the award at the 2026 World Cup draw in December, just one month after FIFA announced the creation of the prize.

Though he conceded there had been a "strong reaction" to Trump winning the award, Infantino insisted the prize was deserved.

"Whatever we can do to help peace in the world, we should be doing it, and for this reason, for some time we were thinking about (whether) we should do something to reward people who do something," he said in aninterview with Sky News.

The FIFA president, who has a close relationship with Trump, said that "objectively, he deserves it."

Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw

Many speculated the FIFA Peace Prize was invented to placate Trump, who has been publicly fuming over not winning the Nobel Peace Prize since it was awarded in October.

According to The Athletic, FIFA's Council and vice presidents were not "consulted or involved" in the award's creation, as they normally would have been with such an initiative.

The prize has looked even stranger in hindsight afterU.S. troops invaded Venezuela and removed its president Nicolás Maduroand his wife, followed by the fatal shootings of two American citizens last month amid an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.

Infantino, however, pointed to the actual winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, to say Trump was deserving.

"It's not just Gianni Infantino who said it ... (there's) a Nobel Peace Prize winner who said this," Infantino said.

"He was instrumental in resolving conflicts and saving lives and saving thousands of lives."

Machadopresented her Nobel Prize to Trumpduring a meeting last month as she continues to seek his endorsement to be Maduro's long-term replacement.

Trump said that Machado giving him the award was "a wonderful gesture of mutual respect," but the Nobel committeereleased a statementthat said it didn't hold any official weight.

"Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others," the statement said. "The decision is final and stands for all time."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FIFA's Gianni Infantino defends awarding Peace Prize to Donald Trump

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February 02, 2026

FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends awarding Peace Prize to Trump

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended his organization's controversial decision toaward Donald Trump its inaug...

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Sean McVay 'absolutely' wants Matthew Stafford back with Rams, but will give QB time to make retirement decision

If Matthew Stafford wants to return to the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, he'll have a job waiting for him. Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed Monday that he "absolutely" wants Stafford back next season, but will give the quarterback some time to decide if he still wants to play football.

McVay expressed as much Monday, saying he wants Stafford back as long as "that's something that he wants to do."

McVay's comments shouldn't come as a major surprise considering Stafford's numbers in 2025. The 37-year-old led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. He's considered the favorite to take home the MVP award once its announced.

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But there's at least some uncertainty over whether Stafford — who is signed with the Rams through the 2026 NFL season — will return for next season. WhileMcVay angrily dismissed the ideaimmediately following the Ram's loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship, the quarterback said he wouldtake some time to think things over.

McVay said Monday the team would "respect [Stafford's] timetable." McVay added there was no specific date set for Stafford to make that decision.

The Stafford-McVay pairing has been incredibly successful since the Rams traded for the former Detroit Lions quarterback. Since joining the Rams, Stafford has led the team to the playoffs in four out of five seasons. He won the Super Bowl in his first year with the team back in 2021. Stafford has made two Pro Bowls and was selected to the first-team All-Pro team once with the Rams. He'll likely add an MVP award to his list of accomplishments with the team before long.

Given his success in the NFL, there's not much else Stafford needs to accomplish before he calls it a career. He already ranks sixth all time in passing yards and seventh all time in passing touchdowns. Combine that with his Super Bowl win — and probable MVP award — and Stafford has a pretty strong case for the Hall of Fame if he never plays another down in the NFL.

But walking away from the game right now could prove difficult. Stafford just had the best season of his career and was able to take the Rams on a deep playoff run. The temptation to try and win one more ring might prove too strong, especially with Stafford showing little to no signs of decline in 2025.

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February 02, 2026

Sean McVay 'absolutely' wants Matthew Stafford back with Rams, but will give QB time to make retirement decision

If Matthew Stafford wants to return to the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, he'll have a job waiting for him. Rams coach Sea...

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Winter Olympics 2026: How does curling work?

Curling, which first became an organized sport in Scotland, traces its roots to the 1500s. Historians say paintings from the time depict people sliding rocks across frozen ponds. It took a few centuries for the world to appreciate all that feverish sweeping, though: Curling made its Olympic debut in 1924 — but didn't return as an official competitive event until the 1998 Winter Games in Nagano, Japan.

Chances are if you didn't grow up in Canada (where curling is most popular), you may think of the sport as people in funny pants — we're lookin' at you, Norwegians — pushing an oversized puck across a skating rink.Au contraire.Curling requires finesse, strategy and serious athleticism — the sweeping can burn up to 500 calories per hour. And because players use their brains as much as their bodies, people call it "chess on ice."

Rules

For starters, players aim to guide heavy, granitestonesacross a sheet of textured ice toward a target area called thehousethat is split into four rings. (Consider curling a distant cousin of shuffleboard.) Two teams, each with four players, take turns sliding the stones — also called "rocks" — toward the target. Each team has eight stones perend, which is curling's version of, say, a baseball inning. There are 10 ends in a tournament-style game.

This video shows the skill involved, from the movement the thrower uses to deliver the stone, to the sweepers trying to guide it where it needs to go in the target, aka the house.

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The stone weighs 38 to 44 pounds. Players use brooms to smooth the ice and ease the stone's path toward the house. If a player breaks a rule — like nudging the stone with their shoe — they should be "the first to divulge the breach," according to the WCF. This sportsmanship expectation is part of what players call "the spirit of curling."

Scoring

The objective is simple: The team that lands the most stones closest to the bulls-eye wins.Players win a point for every stone that 1) lands in the house and 2) is closer to the "button" — or center of the house — than the closest opponent stone. (For example, if Team A has the closest stone and Team B has the second closest stone, Team A can only earn one point, even if the rest of Team B's stones somehow ended up outside of the curling arena.) Teams can knock an opponent's stone away from the house — and, through some vigorous sweeping, strategically place some stones as makeshift shields (guards) to protect others.

It is impossible, however, for both teams to score in an end, which last the amount of time it takes to throw all of the stones. Points are awarded only to the team that did better in each end. (Should a team tie, there are tie-breaker rounds.) The best possible score in an end is 8-0, which happens when one team gets all eight stones closer to the button than its opponent. This is called a "snowman" — curling slang for a perfect game.

Fun fact: Curling may be the nicest sport of all

Objectively. After each game, the winners traditionally buy the other team a round of drinks. From the WCF website: "Curlers play to win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler never attempts to distract opponents, nor to prevent them from playing their best, and would prefer to lose rather than to win unfairly."

Quick terminology

Bonspiel:A curling tournament.Circles:The round scoring area, 12 feet in diameter, with concentric circles 1, 4 and 8 feet in diameter.Curl:The rotating movement of a stone caused by turning the handle.Delivery:The act of throwing a rock.End:Similar to an inning in baseball; in an end, each team throws eight rocks, two per player in alternating fashion. Tournament-style games run for 10 ends.Front End:The lead and second player on a curling team.Heavy:A stone that is delivered with more than the desired amount of weight or force.House:The round scoring area, 12 feet in diameter, with concentric circles 1, 4, and 8 feet in diameter.Light:A stone that is delivered with less than the desired weight or force.Rink:A curling team that consists of four players: the skip, third (vice-skip), second, and lead. Also refers to the place where curling is played.Rock:Stone.Sheet:The 146-foot-long area of the ice on which the game is played.Skip:The player who calls the ice and determines the strategy. Almost always plays the last two rocks for his team (but may throw in a different order in some games.)Sweeping:Using a brush to polish the ice in an effort to alter the action of the rock.

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in Celebrities, Lifestyle, SHOWBIZ, Spoprts

February 02, 2026

Winter Olympics 2026: How does curling work?

Curling, which first became an organized sport in Scotland, traces its roots to the 1500s. Historians say paintings from ...

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NBA trade tracker: Every deal before the 2026 trading deadline

TheNBAtrading deadline is upon us.

It was a quiet leadup to the final days before the Thursday, Feb. 5 deadline at 3 p.m. ET, with only one trade in the months of October, November, December and January. Compare that to last season, when there were five over that span.

Much of the league is watchingthe developments in MilwaukeeconcerningGiannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Bucks, though action has started to pick up in recent days.

Keep track of every single trade executed during 2025-26 season below:

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

2025-26 NBA trade tracker

Hawks move on from Vít Krejčí (Feb. 1)

Portland Trail Blazersreceive

• Vít Krejčí

Atlanta Hawksreceive

• Duop Reath

• 2027 second-round pick (via Hawks)

• 2030 second-round pick (via Knicks)

Cavaliers move on from De'Andre Hunter (Feb. 1)

Sacramento Kingsreceive

• De'Andre Hunter (from Cavaliers)

Cleveland Cavaliers receive

• Keon Ellis (from Kings)

• Dennis Schröder (from Kings)

• Emanuel Miller (from Bulls)

Chicago Bullsreceive

• Dario Šarić (from Kings)

• 2027 second-round pick (via Nuggets)

• 2029 second-round pick (via Kings)

➤Trade details

Hawks move on from Trae Young (Jan. 9)

Washington Wizardsreceive

• Trae Young

Atlanta Hawks receive

• CJ McCollum

• Corey Kispert

➤Trade details|Winners and losers

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA trade deadline: Tracking every deal during 2025-26 season

byAdministrator

in Celebrities, Lifestyle, SHOWBIZ, Spoprts

February 02, 2026

NBA trade tracker: Every deal before the 2026 trading deadline

TheNBAtrading deadline is upon us. It was a quiet leadup to the final days before the Thursday, Feb. 5 deadline ...

Read More