Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will not be solely taking part in the most effective soccer of his profession, however a number of the greatest soccer within the NFL.
By 4 weeks, the 27-year-old has thrown for 932 yards, a league-leading 11 touchdowns and solely three interceptions whereas main the Vikings to a 4-0 document.
Some might even argue he is been taking part in like an MVP candidate. That is what the New York Jets had been hoping to get out of Darnold once they drafted him with the No. 3 total choose in 2018.
So what went unsuitable?
That continues to be up for debate, however some would say that he at all times had the expertise to achieve success within the NFL, he simply by no means received the possibility to develop appropriately in a foul group.
Darnold denies these concepts, although.
When requested whether or not the Jets failed him, he merely answered, “No.”
“I had plenty of alternatives in New York and I at all times felt like I might have performed higher there,” Darnold said, by way of Michael David Smith of Professional Soccer Discuss.
Darnold is not unsuitable. He had three seasons (2018-20) to show himself in New York earlier than being traded to the Carolina Panthers. Throughout that span he went 13-25 as a starter whereas throwing for 8,097 yards, 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions.
Issues did not get any higher with the Panthers, both. From 2021-22, Darnold went 8-10 whereas throwing for 3,670 yards, 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
Nevertheless, there’s one commonality between these two stints: An absence of playmakers. That’s one thing he’s wealthy with in Minnesota.
The Vikings boast a formidable group of playmakers, highlighted by All-Professional vast receiver Justin Jefferson, rising second-year vast receiver Jordan Addison and Professional Bowl working again Aaron Jones. Two-time Professional Bowl tight finish T.J. Hockenson is predicted to return from injured reserve sooner relatively than later, too.
So Darnold’s recipe for fulfillment might merely be becoming a member of a workforce with a profitable offensive-minded head coach in Kevin O’Connell and an abundance of weapons.
There would not appear to be an animosity between Darnold and the Jets, however he’ll get the possibility to go away them wishing they did extra to develop him in Week 5 when the groups go head-to-head in London.
