The comeback kid.
The Minnesota Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a one-year deal in March 2024.
Given the length of the contract and the subsequent selection of J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the draft, the assumption was that Darnold would act as a bridge quarterback. The 27-year-old would offer the Vikings an experienced starter while McCarthy learned the offense.
After shining in the first preseason game, McCarthy and the Vikings received crushing news. Their first-round selection required knee surgery and would miss his entire rookie season.
Optimism among the fans and the media was at a low point. Most predictions had the Vikings winning around six games, with almost no-one predicting a playoff berth.
As we exit Week 13, it is fair to say the Vikings have surpassed all expectations, as has Darnold.
With 10 wins and a playoff spot a near certainty, the former New York Jet is sitting in the top 10 of all quarterbacks in passing yards, touchdown passes and passer rating. He has shown the poise which has been missing throughout his career.
Journalists and analysts have been quick to point out that Darnold has never been in a better situation. With Kevin O’Connell as head coach he has a mentor who understands the pressures of the position.
Quarterback coach Josh McCown was a teammate of Darnold when he entered the league.
Justin Jefferson is already a future Hall of Famer and is supported by the ever improving Jordan Addison.
All of these things help, but when you watch Darnold on the field he is quite simply a better quarterback than he was before. His time with the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan clearly helped and Darnold will definitely be signing a more lucrative deal come the free agency period in 2025.
What does the future hold?
To stay in Minnesota, Darnold will need to lead the Vikings on a deep playoff run.
The coaching staff are enamoured with McCarthy and will want to make the most of the short window while he is on his rookie contract.
Although Darnold might want to stay and compete for the spot, there are many other quarterback-needy teams who will no doubt test the waters.
In Las Vegas, the Raiders will be hunting for a new starter. There is also the tantalising possibility of a return to New York, although that is more likely to be with the Giants than a return to the Jets.
Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield are two players to have undergone a similar resurgance. Both have found new homes and new contracts after periods in the wilderness.
If Darnold continues on the trajectory he is on the future is bright. Remarkably, Darnold is still only 27 years old, he still has plenty of football ahead of him.
