Within the NFL this season, the largest feel-good story could also be that of quarterback Sam Darnold.
After he had a positive faculty profession on the College of Southern California, he was the No. 3 decide within the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, however after three dismal seasons with them, he was dismissed as a bust by many.
However just a few felt he may very well be profitable if he simply had the suitable gamers and infrastructure round him, and that’s precisely what he has had with the Minnesota Vikings this yr.
Abruptly, Darnold began taking part in like a star, and consequently, the 14-2 Vikings are in place to not solely end first within the NFC North however presumably declare the highest seed within the convention.
In reality, podcaster John Middlekauff boldly stated that Darnold is a greater quarterback than Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles.
.@johnmiddlekauff believes Sam Darnold is without doubt one of the finest quarterbacks within the NFC, and is presently higher than Jalen Hurts pic.twitter.com/L0Z87ahx68
— 3&OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) December 30, 2024
Hurts has thrown for two,903 yards and 18 touchdowns in opposition to simply 5 interceptions whereas operating for 630 yards and 14 touchdowns, so saying Darnold is healthier than him is saying quite a bit, particularly since Hurts was the runner-up within the MVP balloting two years in the past.
Darnold has collected 4,153 passing yards and 35 passing touchdowns whereas limiting himself to 12 interceptions and finishing 68.1 p.c of his go makes an attempt, and he has maintained his wonderful play all through the season.
Nevertheless, Minnesota may have a giant resolution to make this offseason — Darnold will probably be a free agent, and so they have a younger quarterback in J.J. McCarthy who they imagine may very well be excellent in his personal proper within the years to come back.
They signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal this previous offseason after Kirk Cousins left to hitch the Atlanta Falcons.
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