It’s kind of what New York Jets’ fans envisioned when their team selected quarterback Sam Darnold at No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Darnold is thriving as the starting signal caller for an undefeated team, but it’s not Gang Green. Three years after the Jets gave up on the former franchise building block, the castoff has seized an unexpected opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings.
“He’s doing a good job. He’s made a lot of plays. They’ve taken a lot of advantage of some advantageous situations they’re in, but he’s been doing a really nice job,” said head coach Robert Saleh who must prepare the Jets to face Darnold and the Vikings in Sunday’s NFL International Series affair.
Saleh never coached Darnold, who was traded away the same offseason that the Jets made a change at head coach.
To say Darnold is “doing a good job” through the first quarter of the 2024 schedule is a bit of an understatement. He has become one of the favorites for the NFL MVP award, leading the league in touchdown passes (11) and quarterback rating (118.9). The 27-year-old Darnold is competing 69 percent of passes while averaging 8.8 yards per attempt.
While the Jets’ offense struggled in a 32-19 season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Darnold accounted for 300 yards of offense and two touchdown passes in a 23-17 win over the reigning NFC champions one week later.
“Sam’s gritty. He’s tough. He’s got tremendous arm talent,” said Saleh.
The Sporting News senior writer Vinnie Iyer explained why Darnold’s MVP quest is likely to continue.
Why Sam Darnold can keep playing well for Vikings
Justin Jefferson is awesome and Jordan Addison, a dynamic second-year first-rounder, just returned to the lineup to make big plays. Jalen Nailor also has been key wherever called upon as a third option. TJ Hockenson is on track to return to help the offense as another key field-stretching and red-zone target by late October or early November.
Darnold also should keep getting more comfortable with Kevin O’Connell and Josh McCown as his reliable braintrust. The Jets’ defense will be a big test in a revenge game in London, but the Vikings’ defense also can have a big say in the outcome vs. Aaron Rodgers, whose team just lost at home to the Broncos. — Vinnie Iyer
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