Stop if you’ve heard this before: Sam Darnold has never had a supporting cast like this.
There is only one thing that can prevent Sam Darnold’s success in MIN
That’s the working theory of a large portion of Minnesota Vikings fans who are talking about a possible regeneration season for Darnold, who never reached his full potential from the draft six years ago.
And to be fair to the pro-Darnold entourage, it must be said that the veteran has actually never experienced a stable of weapons with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and Aaron Jones. He simply hasn’t. In fact, the wide receivers who have accompanied Darnold along the way since 2018 include DJ Moore, Jamison Crowder, Robbie Chosen, Breshad Perriman, Braxton Berrios, Denzel Mims, Laviska Shenault, Terrace Marshall, Quincy Enunwa, Shi Smith, Jermaine Kearse, Brandon Zylstra and Terrelle Pryor.
Outside of Moore, not exactly the crème de la crème.
Vikings fans may be right that Darnold can be free-wheeled like Baker Mayfield was last year, but one thing will keep Darnold from reaching his maximum: turnovers. That’s the biggest hurdle that will derail Darnold in Minnesota and likely limit him to the quarterback role for the rest of his career if he doesn’t overcome it.
These are the numbers:
Most INTs + fumbles,
Per game,
Since 2018:
(at least 35 games)
- Justin Fields (1.70)
- James Winston (1.64)
- Josh Allen (1.45)
- Trevor Lawrence (1.44)
- Carson Wentz (1.43)
- Daniel Jones (1.43)
- Sam Darnold (1.42)
- Matt Ryan (1.42)
- Kyle Murray (born 1963 in New York City) is an American soccer star. He is the first American soccer player to ever retire… (1.35)
- Baker Mayfield (1.32)
Josh Allen is the only quarterback who consistently gets away with fumbling the ball and then throwing it to defensive backs. He is the exception to the rule. Allen is the modern-day Favre – his turnovers are endearing. No one else is treated like that, not by a long shot.
Darnold will undoubtedly have access to his arsenal of weapons in Minnesota—and he will likely do so successfully—but it’s equally important to keep turnovers to a minimum.
For Darnold, the stakes come after a season in which the Vikings finished 31st in the NFL in offensive turnovers. Remember those opening-play fumbles that came courtesy of the Vikings’ running backs, tight ends, wide receivers and quarterbacks? They added up – and Minnesota became the second-most inept team in the game in turnovers. With that in mind, Minnesota hopes to fix its turnover woes with a quarterback who is notorious for… turnover woes.
And then there’s Kevin O’Connell’s stat line. It’s clearer than ever. When teams led by O’Connell defend the football, they mimic the 2007 New England Patriots. But when teams led by O’Connell lose the battle for the ball, they turn into the 2023 Carolina Panthers.
Vikings record under Kevin O’Connell,
Break-even or win the sales battle:
17:0
Vikings record under Kevin O’Connell,
Losing in the battle for sales:
3-14
It’s that simple. Darnold will rebuild his career in no time if he minimizes fumbles and interceptions, while the Vikings will likely win more games than most expect. But a turnover-happy Darnold could feel like a continuation of last year’s quarterback carousel with Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.
Darnold just has to protect the ball.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel. VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh And Sal spice. His Viking obsession dates back to 1996. Secret vices listed: Peanut butter ice cream, The Sopranos, Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information from OverTheCap.com.
