Minnesota Vikings veteran quarterback Sam Darnold will be the starting quarterback all season long. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery on his knee earlier this week after suffering a meniscus injury. Darnold is primed to take advantage of his opportunity by enjoying a breakout year in his seventh NFL season.
The Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year contract worth $10 million in March. He signed with the Vikings on the same day Kirk Cousins confirmed his departure by signing a lucrative deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Darnold was added to bridge the gap between Cousins and McCarthy.
The expectation was that Darnold was always going to begin the regular-season campaign as the starter. But many also expected that McCarthy would eventually replace him, a theory that gained credence after McCarthy completed 11-of-17 passing attempts in his first (and only) preseason appearance for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. We now know that won't be happening.
Darnold made 10 appearances for the San Francisco 49ers last season with one start (in a meaningless Week 18 game). Darnold showed signs of developing under the brilliant mind of Kyle Shanahan, even in limited action. He completed 60.9% of his passing attempts, the second-best mark of his career since he completed 61.9% of his passes as a sophomore with the New York Jets when he went 7-6 as a starter and last showed potential to be a franchise quarterback.
Darnold failed miserably in both of his previous opportunities to be a starting quarterback, first with the Jets and second with the Carolina Panthers. While the former third overall selection must shoulder some of the blame, both franchises were a full-blown disaster at the time of acquiring him (look at how Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield have thrived since leaving those same organizations). Darnold has never come close to receiving a legitimate opportunity with such a good supporting cast around him.
Justin Jefferson, the best wide receiver in the NFL, is Darnold's No. 1 option. Jordan Addison is a high-level No. 2. With the elite T.J. Hockenson (when healthy) at tight end, the Vikings rival any supporting cast in the league when measuring their top three pass-catching options against those of their competitors.
Nice to go against someone else.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 14, 2024
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Veteran running back Aaron Jones was brought in to help improve last season’s 29th-ranked rushing attack. If Jones is a natural fit for Kevin O’Connell’s ground game, the Vikings will be a more well-balanced offense. Darnold would appreciate the flexibility.
The offensive line is significantly better than anything Darnold ever encountered in East Rutherford or Carolina. This past season, the Vikings allowed 47 sacks (there’s room for improvement). The Panthers allowed 52 when Darnold was the starter in 2021, the same number of quarterback takedowns the Jets suffered in 2019 during his sophomore year.
Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill are elite bookends at offensive tackle. The interior is still being sorted through, but Garrett Bradbury has been a constant at center. Darnold will take advantage of the wealth of offensive playmakers at his disposal if he's well-protected.
NFL quarterbacks don’t usually "break out" in their seventh season, but Darnold’s opportunity here qualifies as rare. The Vikings have an outstanding roster of offensive weapons. McCarthy's season-ending injury will afford Darnold an opportunity to finally live up to his potential.
