Sam Darnold’s NFL journey hasn’t been a smooth ride, especially during his time with the New York Jets.
Like many young quarterbacks, he faced a perfect storm of challenges that made success elusive.
Injuries, both to himself and key teammates, coupled with missed draft picks and underwhelming free agent signings by the organization, all contributed to his struggles.
Add questionable coaching to the mix, and it’s no wonder Darnold’s win rate as a starter in New York landed at a mere 34.2 percent.
What’s refreshing, though, is Darnold’s attitude about his time in the Big Apple. Instead of pointing fingers, he’s taking the high road entering the Week 5 matchup between his Minnesota Vikings and the Jets in London.
“I think I had a lot of opportunities in New York. I always felt like I could have played better there,” Darnold said, via Kevin Seifert of ESPN.
Sam Darnold, asked by @markcraignfl if he thought the Jets failed him during his 3 seasons with the team: “No. I think I had a lot of opportunities in New York. I always felt like I could have played better there.”
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 2, 2024
Darnold acknowledges his part in the Jets’ struggles while he was there, recognizing that as a young player finding his footing in the NFL, he contributed to the lack of success.
In hindsight, a year or two on the sidelines might have benefited Darnold more than being thrust into the starting role as a rookie.
But that’s all in the past now, as Darnold seems to have found his groove with the Vikings this season.
His Week 4 performance against the Green Bay Packers was particularly impressive, completing 20 of 28 passes for 275 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appears to have found the right balance, keeping Darnold on track without overwhelming him.
The approach is paying dividends. Darnold isn’t forcing plays, and fans are loving what they’re seeing with Minnesota off to a surprising 4-0 start.
