'Biggest thing is just confidence' How Vikings QB Sam Darnold dominated in Week 1 vs. Giants

The Minnesota Vikings went into the 2024 season with major question marks across the board. The biggest one is at quarterback.

After moving on from Kirk Cousins, who had an awful debut with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, the Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. To bridge that gap, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract.

Nobody knew quite what to expect out of Darnold, which is why a lot of eyes were on him against the New York Giants. He didn't just play well, Darnold was flat out impressive in just about every way.

Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold begins his renaissance

The game wasn't just on the road, it was in a familiar place for the seventh-year quarterback. Darnold spent the first three seasons with the New York Jets after they traded three second-round picks to move up to third overall to select him in the 2018 NFL Draft. This wasn't his first game back, but he appreciated it nonetheless.

"It’s great to be back. It’s been a while since I played here. I played here my first year in Carolina (Panthers) coming back that was the last time I played here. But yeah, it’s always good to get back in MetLife."

You could tell that Darnold wasn't phased at all by being back or that this could be the final chance he has to be the starting quarterback. Darnold was playing like this; it was his job for today and the next decade.

"I think for me it was just coming out here and like I keep saying, I think just playing my game. Playing one play at a time but again, just playing with confidence. I think that’s the biggest thing because we’ve got a great offense, we’ve got a great system. If I just play on time and do all the things I need to do to execute we’ll be alright."

The poise and comfort he displayed in the pocket was excellent. His only miscue was when Garrett Bradbury got trucked back by Dexter Lawrence and the latter hit his arm when throwing the football. Otherwise, when pressure came his way (13 times on 26 dropbacks per Pro Football Focus), Darnold handled it well by taking just one sack. He also registered two big-time throws and a PFF grade of 88.1. That grade wasn't just good, it led all quarterbacks.

One of the defining things that Darnold showed throughout training camp was developing chemistry with wide receiver Justin Jefferson. It became easier and more natural as more time passed. That chemistry is one of the reasons why it wasn't imperative that McCarthy get the start right away. That chemistry has helped Darnold build up that confidence

"I think that’s the biggest thing is just confidence. Obviously, throwing to him but throwing to everyone and being able to stay in the pocket if I need to, and check the ball down and stay efficient. I think that was kind of our mindset coming in and that’s always our mindset, or my mindset personally, passing the ball. I feel like if I can stay efficient and do all those things I need to do to do that, we’ll be alright."

Darnold had that confidence on Sunday in throwing to Jefferson. There were multiple deep targets to him down the field with one being caught on a deep corner route. That was a big part of the 99-yard drive that culminated in a fourth-down touchdown pass from Darnold to Jefferson.

Throws like that are what Jefferson spoke to The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Ben Goessling about his quarterbacks having all the confidence in him.

”It’s going to be different,” Jefferson said. “But I want it to be the same for them to have the confidence in me to go and make a play, just like Kirk did in those opportunities and those situations. I low-key want them to have more confidence than what Kirk had. Kirk is more comfortable in the system, [with] him running it early on in Washington. It’s just to give them an extra boost and extra confidence; I want to go up and make a play for them whenever they give me the chance.”

Darnold took that to heart and didn't just trust Jefferson, he trusted himself and that manifested in a 22-point victory in week one.

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