Stop if you’ve heard this before: Sam Darnold has never had a supporting cast like this.
There’s Only One Thing That Can Prevent Sam Darnold from Thriving in MIN
That’s the working theory from a healthy faction of Minnesota Vikings fans, speaking into existence a would-be reclamation season for Darnold, who has never fully effectuated his draft stock from six years ago.
And in fairness to the pro-Darnold entourage, the veteran, indeed, has never experienced a weapon stable with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. He just hasn’t. In fact, wide receivers accompanying Darnold along the way since 2018 include D.J. 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.
Not exactly the cream of the crop outside of Moore.
So, while Vikings fans may be right that Darnold can be unlocked like Baker Mayfield last year, one item will prevent Darnold from his ceiling — turnovers. That’s the major hurdle that, if not conquered, will derail Darnold in Minnesota and probably relegate him to QB2 duties the rest of the way in his career.
These are the numbers:
Most INTs + Fumbles,
Per Game,
Since 2018:
(min. 35 games)
- Justin Fields (1.70)
- Jameis 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)
- Kyler Murray (1.35)
- Baker Mayfield (1.32)
Josh Allen is the only quarterback who can consistently get away with fumbling the rock and tossing it to defensive backs. He’s the exception to the rule. Allen is the modern-day Favre — his turnovers are lovable. Nobody else gets that treatment, not by a longshot.
