When the Minnesota Vikings picked up Sam Darnold it was a mixed reaction at best. Most assumed (and were right) the plan was to draft a young QB and Darnold would be the bridge. They way he played the first two games of the season isn’t just bridge QB material. However, he does have a 6 year history in the league and it isn’t great. He had 5 years with poorly run and coached franchises to start his career. Baker Mayfield has resurrected his career in Tampa. Geno Smith never had a career to speak of until he went to Seattle. Coaching matters a lot. I’m cautiously optimistic Sam Darnold can keep up the improvement. I don’t think he’s going to go 17-0, but I think he can keep this team in contention for the NFCN as long as the team stays reasonably healthy around him.
Kevin O’Connell is a huge part of the faith. He learned from Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. Shanahan wanted Darnold in San Francisco last year when Purdy was coming off an injury. It makes sense he fits so well with KOC in Minnesota.
NJY 2018: 13 Starts, 4-9 Record, 2,865 Yards, 17 TDs, 15 INTs, 57.7% Completion, Passer Rating 77.6
NYJ 2019: 13 Starts, 7-6 Record, 3,024 Yards, 19 TDs, 13 INTs, 61.9% Completion, Passer Rating 84.3
NYJ 2020: 12 Starts, 2-10 Record, 2,208 Yards, 9 TDs, 11 INTs, 59.6% Completion, Passer Rating 72.7
CAR 2021: 11 Starts, 4-7 Record, 2,527 Yards, 9 TDs, 13 INTs, 59.9% Completion, Passer Rating 71.9
CAR 2022: 6 Starts, 4-2 Record, 1,143 Yards, 7 TDs, 3 INTs, 58.6% Completion, Passer Rating 92.6
SFO 2023: 1 Start, 0-1 Record, 297 Yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 60.9% Completion, Passer Rating 85.1
MIN 2024: 2 Starts, 2-0 Record, 476 Yards, 4 TDs, 2 INTs, 72.0% Completion, Passer Rating 111.8
QB Wins is kind of a stat, but not really.
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