Sam Darnold’s journey
in the NFL has been anything but smooth. After dealing with ups and downs with
both the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before taking a backup role in San Francisco, Darnold has taken center stage with the Minnesota
Vikings. With a spotless 2-0 start to the 2024 season, fans and analysts are
buzzing: Has Darnold finally found a home in Minnesota?
Early success in Minnesota
Darnold’s debut with the Vikings has been nothing short of promising. Two games in and the former top draft prospect is leading the team with poise and confidence that was previously missing from his arsenal. In Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers, Darnold passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns while completing 17-of-26 attempts.
So
far, Darnold has accumulated 476 passing yards across the two games — the Vikings opened their season with a win over the New York Giants — with four
TDs and two interceptions. Darnold has completed 72% of his
passing attempts reflecting his patience and growth as a quarterback. His
decision-making seems to have matured, particularly in terms of limiting turnovers, which were plentiful
in the past.
Over the first two games of the season, Darnold’s
connection with star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has gradually improved. Jefferson only has eight catches in that space (four in each game), but
he gained 133 yards receiving against the 49ers Sunday while scoring a TD for the second
consecutive week. Darnold and his primary receiving target haven’t gotten completely
on the same page and the team is still undefeated.
Darnold’s
previous struggles
Understanding Darnold’s current form requires an understanding of his past. Drafted by the New York Jets No. 3 overall in 2018, Darnold faced significant challenges, including a lack of offensive weapons and frequent coaching changes. His subsequent move to the Panthers (and then 49ers) offered limited success due to a mixof injuries and inconsistent play.
With
the Jets and Panthers, Darnold often struggled, completing just 59.7% of his
passes with a high interception rate. Darnold’s passing career-high is 3,024 passing yards during
his second season with the Jets. Now, under the guidance of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell,
Darnold is on pace to exceed these numbers while looking far more refined and
disciplined than before.
Long-term expectations and success
Minnesota’s schedule poses several challenging matchups ahead.
Over the next three weeks, the Vikings will play the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets
before a Week 6 bye. If Darnold continues to deliver, his ability to maintain
this momentum will be critical. His consistency and continued growth within
this Minnesota offense will play a key role in overcoming defenses and pushing
the Vikings toward a playoff berth.
Could Minnesota be where Darnold finally establishes himself as a starter? With his current trajectory, it seems plausible. The Vikings drafted former Michigan QB, J.J. McCarthy in the first round this spring as their potential franchise guy. He suffered a torn meniscus that’ll keep him out all year. Should Darnold continue to play well he could give the Vikings a tough decision to make once McCarthy is healthy.
Darnold’s promising start with the Vikings signals a potential resurgence in his career. Overcoming earlier challenges and roadblocks while showcasing his improved skill set, Darnold could set himself up perfectly this season to continue his NFL career as a starter. As the campaign unfolds, both his future and that of the Vikings look bright.
