New Help and Hope for Darnold
Photo Credit: Andy Kenutis, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have just finished up spring OTA’s and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell is going with quarterback Sam Darnold as his QB1 for training camp. If the season started tomorrow, it would be a chance to see growth for the seventh year quarterback and a young supporting cast of pass catchers.
Darnold was drafted to the New York Jets in 2018, but didn’t have the most success while a part of the organization. His best season came in his second year, he totaled 3,024 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. But his time in New York wouldn’t last, as he went to Carolina and San Francisco as of last year to be their backup.
Darnold is going into the season with the best supporting cast he has had as a starter. From the coaches to players, the Vikings organization is giving the tools for him to have a redemption year in Minnesota.
This Minnesota offense could arguably be the best offense that Darnold has gotten the chance to play with so far. At the least, his newest pass catchers are performing at a higher level than the receivers in his best year.
Photo Credit: Andy Kenutis, Minnesota Vikings
A young set of guys led by the former offensive player of the year Justin Jefferson, including tight end T.J. Hockenson and second year wideout Jordan Addison. The last two both saw an increase in targets and yards, with Jefferson missing seven games last season. The group as a whole put up 30 touchdowns and just under 3,000 receiving yards, which made up over 60 percent of the team’s total production.
To put it in perspective, these three all had better production than Darnold’s leading receiver in his best statistical season.
The Vikings passing offense was fifth in the league with over 600 attempts and 4,359 yards through the air in 2023. The team is extremely aggressive through the air and will continue to be with Wes Phillips continuing as their Offensive Coordinator. Phillips has called the offense to two top 10 finishes in passing offense in his first two years, and now looks for his third straight.
Photo Credit: Andy Kenutis, Minnesota Vikings
All signs point to Darnold having a positive season with the Vikings, but it does come down to what he can do on the field. He will have to come out and play like the third overall pick he was, leading this offense to a productive and positive season.
This might serve as his last chance to go into the NFL season as a starting QB, so expect to see him leave everything on the field each Sunday he straps up. Training camp starts on July 27 in Minnesota, be ready to see number 14 in a bright red jersey slinging the ball to the first string squad.
