Cris Carter had seen this story play out before. The ex-Vikings superstar watched with disappointment as Minnesota’s fantastic 2024 season came to a screeching halt in the wild card round against the Rams on Monday night.
The Hall of Fame wide receiver gave his thoughts on that game, the Vikings’ future, Deion Sanders to the Cowboys, Eagles fans, Ohio State football and much more in this exclusive Q&A with longtime NFL beat writer Kyle Odegard.
Key Topics
- Vikings should franchise Sam Darnold because he’s still an asset
- Brian Flores is a good fit as head coach of the Jets
- Jordan Addison will be “a problem” for defenses for a long time
- Philly fans won’t change and ‘I wouldn’t go to a game even if I was sitting in the owner’s box’
- Close friend Deion Sanders is definitely interested in a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ with the Cowboys
- Fox Sports was not a toxic work environment
- Ja’Marr Chase should get $40 million per year after his dominant 2024 campaign
- Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith has no ceiling
Q: What are your impressions of what happened against the Rams?
Cris Carter: “It’s not the performance you would expect from a 14-win team. Collectively, when you look at the injuries to the offensive line, we couldn’t get over the pressure dominance the Rams put on our quarterback. To me, we’ve lost like this several times. When Kirk Cousins was the quarterback, we couldn’t protect him. This was very, very similar to those situations. Primetime game, playoff game, and up-front, because of matchups, we didn’t give our skill guys an ample opportunity to make an impact on the game.”
Q: How do you feel about Sam Darnold and his future? Do you think he’s going to be the guy next year?
Cris Carter: “I don’t know if he’s going to be the guy. I do think the Vikings have to do something, like franchise him, to restrict his movement. He is still an asset. What he accomplished – 35 touchdown passes in the regular season – you can’t forget that. I heard K.O., the head coach, talking last night about the total body of work. You can’t sweep that under the rug, what he was able to do in his first year as a starter with the Vikings.”
Q: So you’re looking at this more big-picture with Darnold? Is it too knee-jerk of a reaction for people to say, this is the Sam Darnold that struggled earlier in his career?
Cris Carter: “What quarterback could have the type of year that he had, and you’d just forget it? If he’s young, if he’s old – if Russell Wilson had that year, would you forget it? If Justin Fields had that year, would you forget it? If Baker Mayfield had that year, would you forget it? No. So why would I do that as the Vikings? I think the Vikings are looking at it the right way. Sam Darnold is an asset. He can be a starting quarterback somewhere and ask to be traded. There will be a market for Sam Darnold, and there wasn’t last year.”
Q: If you put your GM hat on, do you franchise Darnold, bring him back and then have him battle it out with J.J. McCarthy?
Cris Carter: “That’s one of the scenarios. You also have to realize Daniel Jones is also under contract currently. They could sign him as a backup. I do expect JJ McCarthy to be there, and I do expect one of those quarterbacks, Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones, to be the backup.
Q: What do you think the franchise needs to do to finally get over the hump?
Cris Carter: “When you get into the playoffs, a lot of it is about physicality. One of it is protecting the quarterback, and then it’s being able to run the ball when you want to be able to run it. I think that with (Christian) Darrisaw coming back from injury, continuing to add to the offensive line. Defensively, I thought we played well throughout the season creating all those turnovers under Brian Flores, but is Brian Flores going to be back? I think if you keep adding to this nucleus of players, this is going to be one of the best teams in 2025.”
Q: You mentioned Brian Flores. Is there a vacancy that would make sense for him?
Cris Carter: “I think in a city like New York, with the Jets, he would be a viable candidate with that defense. They’re playing some good defense in New York, and he has that background with Miami, so he could add to that rivalry.”
Q: We see what Justin Jefferson is doing with the Vikings. We know what you did, what Randy Moss did. Do you appreciate all the wide receiver greatness that has gone through Minnesota?
Cris Carter: “There is not another team that can (match up). We realize our history, but we created that history. Wide receivers were always important to the Vikings, going back to Sammy White, Ahmad Rashad, John Gilliam, Anthony Carter, tight end Steve Jordan, myself, Jake Reed, Moss, Percy Harvin, Adam Thielen. We’ve had a lot of wide receivers, and we take a lot of pride in it. We have a lot of expectations for when a young receiver gets to Minnesota, the standard he has to live up to.”
Q: Is Jordan Addison a guy you saw come on this season?
Cris Carter: “Yeah, he had a great second year. Far more consistent. Definitely a great threat opposite of JJ. And only growing. Getting better as far as his route-running, he’s great at contested catches. And just as far as his speed getting down the field, yeah, he’s going to be a problem for NFL teams to guard for a long time.”
Q: Whether it’s Sam, J.J., Daniel Jones, is this a quarterback-friendly situation?
Cris Carter: “All you have to do is look at the last six years in Minnesota and what the quarterback has been able to do. Not just 1 and 2, but we have 4-to-5 wide receivers. TJ (Hockenson) is a Pro Bowl tight end. Aaron Jones is an elite running back. We’ve got a lot of weapons. Those skill positions are very friendly for the quarterback, and typically that’s what we’ve had with the Vikings for a long time.”
Q: Looking at the Eagles, do you think they have what it takes to win it all?
Cris Carter: “The Eagles are very, very talented. I do worry about their coaching, and I do worry about where they can go through a quarter or a half, and Jalen Hurts and the passing game does not look good. There could be a matchup where that lull on offense hurts them. But defensively, I don’t see teams scoring a lot of points against them. And with the injuries to Detroit’s defense, that’s favorable to Philadelphia.”
Q: An Eagles fan is in a lot of hot water for being very unkind to a female Packers fan. You played in Philly and it’s a city known for having a tough fanbase. Do you think that’s an outlier scenario, or does the whole fanbase need to look at itself and say, ‘Hey, we want to be tough, but we can’t be disrespectful?’”
Cris Carter: “I don’t think the Philly fans are going to change the way they live their life. There have been many people that have been assaulted by Philly fans. Even if Minnesota had won that game (against the Rams), I wouldn’t go to Philly. I wouldn’t go to a game even if I was sitting in the owner’s box. They are in your face, and if you are wearing opposing colors, it’s even worse.”
Q: How hard was it to hear about the cancer diagnosis for Randy Moss? Have you talked to him?
Cris Carter: “We’re just saying a prayer for him. Regardless of what age you’re at, that is earth-shattering news. They’re asking for privacy, so we are honoring that. That’s really the only update I can give you.”
Q: How do you feel about Deion Sanders’s potential fit as the next coach of the Cowboys?
Cris Carter: “I talk to Deion all the time. I definitely know he has an interest in the job. He realizes he’s a better college coach than pro coach, but the chance to coach in the state he lives in, Texas, and the chance to coach the Dallas Cowboys, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It definitely has his undivided attention.”
Q: Do you think because he excels at recruiting, that’s why he’s a better fit at the college level?
Cris Carter: “He is going to excel in the recruiting part of free agency in the NFL also. Guys will come to Dallas for less to play for Deion. But it’s not the same draw that he has in Boulder, as far as getting a kid to come play there for three, four or one year. I do believe the pull he has is stronger in college than NFL free agency.”
Q: There was talk about you taking the head coaching job at Delaware State. Was that close? Did you think about taking that job?
Cris Carter: “I did think about it. I did get offered the job. At the time, it was just the timing of it. But they are very happy. They have DeSean Jackson now. That’s not the only offer I’ve had to join universities or support staffs. Because of my involvement with Florida Atlantic here in Boca Raton, a number of people see me in the college space, and it seems like a lot of colleges now are hiring NFL talent from the past. I only look for that to increase in the future. Yes, I will be involved in college athletics in some capacity. I really enjoy working with young people, 18 to 24.”
Q: We talked about Deion Sanders and his ability to recruit. When you’ve got a name like yours and Deion, or DeSean Jackson, or Michael Vick, is that a reason why schools are looking at big-name guys, to get attention from the recruits or athletes in the transfer portal?
Cris Carter: “If you’re a recruiter you’re telling people something. And there are only a few people that can say, ‘Hey, I played at the highest level. Hey, I’ve been successful at every level of the sport I’ve played at. Hey, I was successful on and off the field. Hey, I happen to have one of those gold jackets, and I didn’t buy it, as Deion says.’ Like, why wouldn’t you utilize all of those things? If these kids are staying true to their dreams, why wouldn’t you want someone in the organization that can actually communicate those things to your players? There are only a few of us, so why wouldn’t you have one? It’s a new thing, but to me, it’s a common sense thing. If I were to learn how to play the piano, I would love to learn from someone who is considered great at it. To me, it’s just not that complicated, and I think universities are starting to see the value in it.”
Q: So if you did get a head coaching opportunity, would the big thing be staying in the South?
Cris Carter: “I don’t know if it’s necessarily the distance. Being in Delaware compared to being in Florida, where my life has been for the last 30 years and where my wife wants to be a little longer, those things come into play. But I don’t think it’s the distance. It’s where you can make the biggest impact. That’s what you’re trying to measure. For me, it just wasn’t the right opportunity at the right time for me.”
Q: It does seem like it intrigues you, yeah? To follow that blueprint and build up a program?
Cris Carter: “Working with young people is intriguing to me, and if a university wants to talk to me about the direction of its program, I’m willing to sit down and have that conversation. I do see myself having an impact in college football over the next 5-to-10 years, yes.”
Q: Looking at the Ja’Marr Chase situation. Do you think he will cash in this offseason after the numbers he put up now that he’s a year closer to free agency?
Cris Carter: “He’s not closer to free agency because they can always franchise him. When he was negotiating, he had two years left on his contract, and I didn’t think that was the right thing. Justin Jefferson, he had one year left on his contract when he got $35 million. I do believe Ja’Marr, because he won the Triple Crown, he will have the negotiating edge over the Bengals. If the Bengals signed him last year they would have been able to get him for cheaper. I do believe he will probably get $40 million per year over the course of four or five years. He was always looking to get more than Justin Jefferson – and that’s the name of the game when your contract is up – and he’s played his hand well because he had a good season. Going into the season, I didn’t think that was the right tactic, against a team that has been very, very frugal for decades.”
Q: You mentioned $40 million a year. Do you think the Bengals would balk at that even though he has shown his worth?
Cris Carter: “They’re not going to have any choice. Just like they had no choice but to pay Joe Burrow. They didn’t want to, but they had to. They’re gonna have to pay Ja’Marr Chase.”
Q: Are Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase 1A and 1B as far as wideouts in the NFL? Does one have a clear edge over the other?
Cris Carter: “I don’t think it makes sense to try to differentiate between the two. Both of them have been very dominant since coming into the league. They definitely are the elite receivers we have in the league, and they’ll be on that pedestal for several more years.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the Fox Sports lawsuit and an alleged hostile work environment? You experienced what it was like over there, so what were your thoughts when it came out?
Cris Carter: “I’m not surprised. When you work for these big companies, there are situations that all companies deal with. I’m not going to say that it was a toxic work environment. It wasn’t that. ESPN has gone through this, FOX has gone through this, CBS has gone through this, NBC has gone through it. All the networks have gone through it. It’s males and females coexisting in the workplace.”
Q: When you left people were wondering how it came to an end. Can you shed any light on your departure? It doesn’t seem like it’s something where you have ill will.
Cris Carter: “I wasn’t upset about leaving. Not at all.”
Q: Do you know Garrett Wilson through your Ohio State ties?
Cris Carter: “I know him, yes.”
Q: Obviously it was a tough year in New York. Aaron Rodgers is older, Davante Adams is older. Is it time to find a young quarterback and build it up with a guy like Garrett?
Cris Carter: “Young, old, you have to get a quarterback that’s competent. That’s the No. 1 thing they need to do, and then shore it up by keeping the young players that have been successful. He should be a part of their future. He’s been very consistent, even with sporadic quarterback play.”
Q: Looking at Ohio State heading into the national championship game, and talking about Jeremiam Smith specifically – you’ve been in situations where defenses game-plan to take you out of the game. Is there anything he can do to get away from that, or do you realize that if I’m double- or triple-covered, others have more space with the ball?
Cris Carter: “There is very little you can do. But you do know if there are all of those people accounting for you, the number count for the rest of the offense will be better, and other players should have a good day. You have to remain patient, and you have to be able to make the plays that are made available for you. He had a 50/50 ball early in the game and he misjudged it. That could have been the difference in the game.
He’s going to get into more and more of these games, especially in college because they can take you away moreso than they can in the pros. So be patient, be efficient in what you’re doing, and then try to have an impact in your blocking, because you can have an impact on the offensive side of the ball without touching the football.”
Q: What type of ceiling does Smith have?
Cris Carter: “We’ve had a lot of great receivers, and he lines up with the best receivers we’ve had. He has no ceiling. He’s a young player who is very athletic, big, strong. Short-area quickness will get better. His intermediate and short route-running will only get better as a 19-year-old. There is no ceiling to how good he can be.”
Q: What are some keys to victory in the national championship game?
Cris Carter: “Ohio State’s defense is amazing. I don’t see Notre Dame scoring many points against that defense. Notre Dame has a couple offensive linemen banged up. I do believe that will probably be the biggest difference in the game. It’s making Notre Dame’s quarterback try to win the game all by himself. That’s running it, throwing it, putting all the pressure on him. I think that’s the recipe for the Buckeyes to win the championship. And early in the game you have to get the ball to your playmakers. Let’s see what Notre Dame is doing (defensively) against Jeremiah Smith. Between him and the other dynamic players they have at wide receiver and running back, let’s try to get some explosive plays early so we can see if Notre Dame can play catch up. I believe it could get really ugly for the Irish.”
Q: An Ohio State guy, Marvin Harrison, Jr., is out here in Arizona. Did you see him much? How do you think he played as a rookie?
Cris Carter: “I watched him an awful lot. I thought he had a really good rookie season adjusting to pro football. A lot of times people don’t realize, especially for these high draft picks, that their season goes so long. Their offseason leads right into the Combine, so they don’t really have an offseason. They don’t really have an offseason, so these kids hit that wall. You could see in certain periods during the season that he looked a little bit fatigued, which we expect. But I thought he had an outstanding season for a rookie. Almost 1,000 yards. Tied the rookie Cardinal record for touchdowns there. All really good ways to start his NFL career there with the Cardinals.”
Q: Now that he’s adjusted to the NFL, can Harrison ascend and become a Pro Bowl-level player in Year 2?
Cris Carter: “Yeah, I think he’s a big-time player. How long will it be until he makes the Pro Bowl? I don’t know that. Given the number of receivers we have in the NFC – AJ Brown, Deebo Samuel, Justin Jefferson – it’s hard to make the Pro Bowl. They throw those things on people like, ‘Next year he’ll make the Pro Bowl.’ Eventually he will make the Pro Bowl, but the measuring stick shouldn’t be Pro Bowl in his second year.”
