SAM Darnold has found the perfect spot to rebuild his career at the Minnesota Vikings.
The former No. 3 overall pick has had to fight his way back into a starting quarterback role, and now he’s beginning to shine.
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Darnold is 27 years old and coming into his prime after a rocky start.
He has the Minnesota Vikings 2-0 and has made some plays that, had it been Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes, would’ve been talked about for days.
His 97-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson against the San Francisco 49ers was in no small part down to the wide receiver’s brilliance.
Jefferson was able to beat two defenders to get open 50 yards downfield, and then still have enough in the engine to take it all the way.
But the throw from Darnold was almost perfect – one that the deep-play king Rodgers would’ve been proud of.
Darnold’s numbers through two games have been competent if not brilliant.
His 476 passing yards are ninth in the league, and he’s tied for third in the league with four touchdown passes.
But the Vikings have already sent a statement that they mean business in 2024, and the next run of games could lead to more acclaim for Darnold.
Minnesota plays the Houston Texans at home in Week 3 in a sneaky good game between 2-0 teams.
After that they head to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers.
If Jordan Love is still not healthy then Minnesota will be a heavy favorite to win that game.
They could still be favored anyway regardless of Love’s health, given their start to the season.
After that is a trip to London to take on the New York Jets.
A lot of attention will be on Jets quarterback Rodgers as the star of the show.
‘He’s in a great situation’
Before their game Sunday, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy had some high praise for former teammate Sam Darnold after their year together.
“Sam’s the man. I’ve told everybody that,” Purdy said.
“I absolutely love Sam and who he is as a person, what he has done for this team in the quarterback room last year for Brandon Allen and I.
“He came in and helped me prepare and gave me everything that he had with his role as a backup to help me be successful on Sundays. And so I’ll always be grateful for that.
“He’s very talented. He’s in a great situation, great offense, great players around him.
“Sam is so talented with his arm strength, his legs, like Sam can move. He’s a competitor.”
But you can bet Darnold would love nothing more than a victory on the international stage against his former team.
Getting out if New York is no bad thing for a football player and it’s proved to be good for Darnold.
He had a tough time at the Carolina Panthers as well – but that’s in no way a reflection on him given what’s currently going on at the franchise with Bryce Young.
Darnold’s year playing backup with the San Francisco 49ers last year seems to have served him well.
Being in a winning environment and on a good team for the first time in his career has given him a new lease of life.
And with rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy out for the year in Minnesota, Darnold isn’t looking over his shoulder and waiting for the younger guy to take over.
