Kirk Cousins signed on with the Atlanta Falcons this season, so the Minnesota Vikings picked up Sam Darnold. They signed the 6 year NFL veteran to a 1 year, $10 million contract . Drafted in 2018, third overall by the New York Jets, Darnold played his college ball in Southern California, with the USC Trojans.
Three seasons after they bet their franchise on Sam, the Jets gave up on him and sent him to the Carolina Panthers, where he spent his next two seasons. Deemed a full-on bust, after that too was a failure, Sam signed as a backup in San Francisco for 2023. There, he hoped to be rehabilitated by offensive guru Kyle Shanahan.
Inconsistent play and injuries have plagued Darnold throughout his career. How much of that is his fault, vs the teams he was drafted into? Probably a mix of both. But wherever you land in that argument, probably says as much about your feelings regarding the 27-year-old as 2024 Minnesota Vikings QB1.
Albert Breer is all in on Sam Darnold
No doubt we can count Senior NFL insider for Sports Illustrated, Albert Breer , as a Sam Darnold believer. He had a lot of good things to say about Minnesota’s new QB1 recently on The Rich Eisen Show, pointing his blame finger at the Jets and Panthers for what they did to Darnold, when he was just a young buck in the league.
“I think [the Vikings] think a lot higher of Sam Darnold than a lot of people do. I think, in all due respect to your Jets fandom, the Vikings feel like he is a distressed asset, a guy who wasn’t properly raised in the league and dealt with a lot of rocky waters. There is almost a Geno Smith quality to it . This guy has had a chance to take a minute and learn from his mistakes.”
“I remember watching the end of [the Niners vs Raiders christmas game) Sam played the last 10 minutes seeing the context of him having those coaches, those players around him and playing for Kyle Shanahan, I remember thinking to myself, this guys playing faster, he seems like a different player. I talked to Kevin O’Connell about that and he saw that same thing”
Albert Breer – Rich Eisen Show
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Darnold’s years in Carolina were not nearly as good as the three he had in New York, where he averaged 17 TDS per season. In Carolina he never got to 10 touchdowns in a season, and only totaled 16 TDs and 16 INTs in 18 games.
Minnesota Vikings have what Sam Darnold has been missing
Breer also made the point that this QB situation can be beneficial. JJ McCarthy has the opportunity to grow and learn for a season under the veteran, Darnold. Then by 2025, McCarthy should be ready to lead the MN Vikings, and Darnold to be a starter somewhere else.
The Minnesota Vikings have far more coaching, teammate talent and organizational structure than both of Darnold’s first two stops combined. Having a guy like Justin Jefferson to throw to, among other elite weapons , will surely help.
As long as injuries don’t wreak havoc on the Vikings’ offense, KOC and the gang should be able to pull the very best out of Sam Darnold. Just ask Breer. He’s ready to tell you.
“Here’s a kid who is pretty smart and more raw as a player than people wanted to admit. Probably went to a Peyton Manning system which was not quite right for him. “
“I think you can put the pieces together and see where this could be a real new beginning for Sam Darnold. Whether that means he’s in Minnesota for a few years, or you bring up the Alex Smith, Patrick Mahomes situation; maybe this becomes a great problem to have, where both guys have a great year; Sam Darnold on the field, J.J. McCarthy in the background and Sam winds up somewhere else in 2025, as the starter. J.J.’s ready to go [for the Vikings] after having a full year of learning under his belt.”
Albert Breer – Rich Eisen Show
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Ultimately I trust coach Kevin O’Connell. I’m all about giving the player a chance to prove themselves. Breer, in my opinion, has it right, Darnold just hasn’t been under the right system long enough. At least as a Viking fan, I will remain hopeful.
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