Vikings’ Sam Darnold reflects on his time with the Jets, stating, “I could’ve played better.” The Minnesota quarterback is now gearing up to face the New York Jets, the team that drafted him third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, in a highly anticipated match this Sunday.
Darnold’s tenure in New York spanned just three years (2018-2020). When asked about feeling “failed” by the Jets, he responded with a firm “no” during a recent press conference.
Reflecting on his experience, Darnold mentioned, “I had a lot of opportunities in New York, and I always felt like I could’ve played better there.” His acknowledgment of personal growth highlights a mature perspective on his past challenges.
In an insightful comment on the struggles of young quarterbacks, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stated on “The Rich Eisen Show” that “organizations fail young quarterbacks before young quarterbacks fail organizations.” This perspective sheds light on the complexities surrounding quarterback development in the NFL.
During his time with the Jets, Darnold displayed flashes of potential but ultimately fell short of expectations. Over 38 starts, he averaged 2,699 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, finishing with a passer rating of 78.6 and a completion percentage of 59.8%. These statistics paint a picture of a player grappling with inconsistency.
The Jets made a significant investment to acquire Darnold, trading the No. 6 pick and three second-round selections to secure the third pick in the draft. However, after drafting Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in 2021, they traded Darnold to the Carolina Panthers for additional draft picks.
Darnold spent two seasons with the Panthers, starting 17 games, before moving to the San Francisco 49ers as a backup in 2023. He stepped in as a starter in Week 18, showcasing his adaptability.
In March, Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings. Minnesota had also drafted Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th pick, but a season-ending injury to McCarthy solidified Darnold’s role as the starting quarterback.
So far this season, Darnold has thrown for 932 yards, leading the NFL with 11 touchdowns and a passer rating of 118.9, while completing 68.9% of his passes. The Vikings are currently undefeated at 4-0, standing alongside the Kansas City Chiefs as one of the only unbeaten teams in the league.
As for the Jets, they hold a 2-2 record and are adjusting to their first full season with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
