GLENDALE, Ariz. — Dozens of Vikings had cleared from the auxiliary locker room in the depths of State Farm Stadium when Justin Jefferson began participating in his media interview.
Minnesota's 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in a contest moved to Arizona because of wildfires in L.A. abruptly halted the Vikings dreams of making a deep postseason run.
Players wanted more games because of the glory to be enjoyed during such achievements, but even more so because it would allow for more time together.
"With the team chemistry that we have, if you ask people in this locker room if they've had the same type of chemistry in this locker room, they're going to say no," Jefferson said. "That's how we felt the entire year. That's why we felt this year was special for us.
"Seeing the faces and the tears in some of these guys' eyes, it means a lot," Jefferson added. "The bond we were able to create together is something that we'll hold onto for the rest of our lives."
While listening to the star receiver, I also couldn't help but notice a song from the area where the defensive backs' lockers were in a row. Joshua Metellus and Camryn Bynum (and maybe one or two others were still in the vicinity) as someone was playing Boyz II Men's epic harmonized ballad "End of the Road."
Lyrics in that song, which took me all the way back to middle school dances, including the following:
Although we've come to the end of the road
Still, I can't let go
It's unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you
Come to the end of the road
Still, I can't let go
The harsh reality of postseason football is 60 minutes of a game time can undo hours dedicated for months if a team doesn't bring its "A game."
Such was the case Monday when the Vikings fell behind early and never found full stride. The game got out of hand before halftime, and Minnesota just couldn't mount a comeback.
Players who have been in the league long enough know every offseason brings changes to the locker room. Sometimes changes are good, like when the Vikings were able to hit on so many free agents to the degree of more than doubling the projected win total placed on the team by outsiders before the season.
"That's what I think makes it so much more emotional, because no team is the exact same the next year," said linebacker Blake Cashman, who completed his first season with his home state squad. "We know how this business works. A lot of it is out of the players' control, but this was a special group of guys, and for everybody in this locker room, a lot of close relationships. That's why we had so much joy, and I think people saw it when they watched us play, just excitement."
Greenard blended appreciation for his first season in Purple with determination to change the narrative.
"Great year, man, I'm not going to lie, 14 wins, I didn't expect. I knew we were going to come to the playoffs and compete, but 14 wins in my first year here is a blessing," Greenard said. "It was a blessing to make it through a full season for the first time.
"[The loss] makes what is said on the outside look like it's true, 'Can't win the big one.' We're going to do it. We're going to get over the hump. The thing is, we'll just keep our head down and work.
"We've just got to be more. More is required," added Greenard when asked what is needed to get over the hump. "At the end of the day, that's what I'm living by, because no matter what, we can do a lot or just enough, but more is required, especially where we're at."
Wanting more also can be applied to seasons in Minnesota. Pending free agents Aaron Jones, Sr., and cornerback Byron Murphy, Jr., were sincere in saying how much they'd like to return to the Vikings.
"Teams change year after year. It is a true brotherhood in this locker room," Jones said. "This is the closest team I've been on."
Added Murphy: "I want to be a Viking for the rest of my career. I definitely want to do that, but I'm just going to keep it in God's hands, keep praying and keep working."
He said he'd "recruit everyone back."
"I want the same team together. Every single person in this locker room. I wish that was the way it is going to be, but some things happen. This is the NFL, but if I come back here, I'm recruiting everybody that was on this team because I feel like this is a team to do it. I just think we didn't get the job done the way we wanted to."
Tight end T.J. Hockenson said he's "never had a connection like this."
"You look left, look right, and you know the person and who they are, a connected team," he said. "The NFL is a league with a lot of turnover, and it's never the same group year-in and year-out."
Hockenson provided a highlight play with his 26-yard catch-and-run touchdown—his first scoring play since suffering a knee injury on Dec. 24, 2023.
"I'd have much rather had the win," Hockenson said. "It's a blessing to be in the spot I am in the organization I'm in, to have all these people from K.O. (Head Coach Kevin O'Connell) to [General Manager] Kwesi [Adofo-Mensah] to all these guys throughout the entire process.
"It's tough to get on this plane and know there's no tomorrow," he added.
Will this be the end of the line for safety Harrison Smith, who played in his 200th career game (including regular season and playoffs)?
"Could always be the last time. It's the reality of the NFL," Smith said. "I don't have a plan or anything at the moment. I've just been trying to stay locked in on the season and figure that stuff out a little bit down the road.
"The funny thing about the season, no matter when it ends, is your body lies to you. It tells you things are better than they are," Smith added. "So, it'll settle in the next week or so and I'll figure out what really hurts."
Jefferson was asked for his thoughts if it was the final time of teaming with Smith.
"I'm just grateful to be here for the ending of his career if that is the case. I hope it's not the end of Harry's career," Jefferson said. "I still feel like he has the juice, that energy to go out there and perform at a high base, especially with the plays he was making this year. If it was to be, that's definitely a sad day. To be part of the last five he had here is very special."
