(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings received some unfortunate news when they learned that No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy will miss his entire rookie season after having meniscus surgery, ending any chance of him taking over as their starting quarterback this season.
The Vikings were set to roll with Sam Darnold as the starter, but now there’s no high-profile rookie breathing down his neck, and his head coach also recently gave him a strong endorsement.
Kevin O’Connell said he believes he can help Darnold achieve levels of success he has never had before in the NFL.
“His physical arm talent to throw the football is pretty impressive,” O’Connell said, via Diana Russini of The Athletic. “… All we’ve asked him to do is be totally present … not overanalyze any one particular area, just keep getting better every single day so that he’s got comfort to go just really play point guard and distribute the football to our playmakers.”
Can #Vikings Kevin O’Connell help QB Sam Darnold have success in a way that Darnold has never had?
Can KOC unlock something special?
https://t.co/mkR6yLxRNq pic.twitter.com/lc80bDChBR
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 16, 2024
It’s tough to dispute the fact that this is the best situation Darnold has been in as a pro, as his first two stops with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers were abject disasters. He did land in a great spot with the San Francisco 49ers last year but with little to no chance of seeing the field as the backup to Brock Purdy.
Baker Mayfield’s resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, which he was able to parlay into a $100 million contract, should serve as Darnold’s blueprint, as his fellow top-3 pick from the 2018 NFL Draft and former teammate with the Panthers was able to find a spot where he can thrive as a starting quarterback, coincidentally also with his fourth team.
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