(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings were forced to add new pieces at the quarterback position ahead of the 2024 season, as Kirk Cousins moved on from the team in free agency.
Cousins is now a member of the Atlanta Falcons, despite playing well for the Vikings for the past several years.
Instead of paying Cousins a massive contract extension, the Vikings instead elected to sign Sam Darnold on a lower-tier contract and selected J.J. McCarthy in the first round of this year’s draft.
McCarthy recently tore his meniscus and will be out for the entire 2024 season.
Now, it’s up to Sam Darnold to lead this team, a quarterback who has had some ups and downs throughout his career to this point,
Mina Kimes told the crew on NFL Live what she thought about what lies ahead for Darnold.
“Everything around [Sam Darnold] is set up to cut down on those turnovers… It is now or never for Darnold,” Kimes said.
“Everything around [Sam Darnold] is set up to cut down on those turnovers. … It is now or never for Darnold.” @minakimes weighs in on the strengths and weaknesses of Sam Darnold’s game. pic.twitter.com/YxVZXSjDDi
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) August 15, 2024
Kimes believes the Vikings have done everything possible to pave the way for Darnold’s success.
They have a strong group of pass-catchers led by Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, and their offensive line has taken strides toward improvement as well.
Darnold has plenty of NFL experience to this point and has been a member of several different locker rooms and coaching regimes.
Will Kevin O’Connell’s scheme make sense to him, at least enough that he can put together a solid season for the Vikings, keeping them in contention for a playoff spot?
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