The Minnesota Vikings will have a new quarterback under center for the first time in years in 2024, as veteran Sam Darnold was signed to a one-year deal to replace Kirk Cousins, who left in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Falcons.
Darnold is stepping into a favorable situation with more weapons at his disposal than he has ever had as a starter, and one of his go-to targets said he is going up a level in 2024.
In an article shared on NFL.com, second-year wideout Jordan Addison said that he has taken his game “to the next level” after an outstanding rookie campaign, with his head coach Kevin O’Connell adding “Jordan Addison had as good of an offseason program as really you can ask for.”
Vikings WR Jordan Addison believes he’s taken his “game to the next level” after stellar rookie yearhttps://t.co/koWcf8ohEi pic.twitter.com/KrEXZrEplC
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 29, 2024
Addison added “Last year I wasn’t as confident in my releases. I wasn’t being decisive. I didn’t have a plan when I was coming up to the line. I was just freelancing trying to make something work.”
Addison posted 70 catches for 911 yards and ten touchdowns as a rookie and stepped up to be the main option while Justin Jefferson was out with an injury, and Darnold will have the luxury of having both running routes for him this upcoming season.
If Darnold isn’t able to put it together behind a great offensive line and these two wide receivers, it could easily be his last chance to prove himself as a starting quarterback in this league.
Addison lived up to the hype as the No. 23 overall pick and it will be exciting to see what he can do alongside Jefferson for hopefully a full season.
