Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is gearing up for what some might call a “revenge game” against the New York Jets this weekend. However, the quarterback, who began his NFL career with the Jets, isn’t focused on any form of payback. Instead, he’s taking the high road when it comes to reflecting on his past in New York.
Darnold was drafted by the Jets as the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, with much anticipation surrounding the USC star. Unfortunately, he struggled to meet expectations during his three-year tenure in New York, posting a completion percentage of 59.8% with 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions over 38 games. His time there came to an end when he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021. However, Darnold found limited success in Carolina before being signed by the Vikings this year.
In his first four games with Minnesota, Darnold has shown signs of redemption, throwing for 932 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. As the Vikings prepare to face the Jets in the first London game of the season, Darnold was asked a difficult question: did he feel the Jets failed him during his time there?
His answer was nothing short of gracious. “No. I think I had a lot of opportunities in New York,” Darnold said. “I always felt like I could have played better there.”
NFL fans have been quick to praise Darnold’s response, commending him for his professionalism and humility. Many saw this as a tricky situation where Darnold could have easily criticized the Jets for their struggles during his tenure, particularly given the team’s instability and notorious issues with coaching and management at the time.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Generous of Sam. The Jets have had an awful offensive line since about 2002. He’d still be taking the beating Aaron [Rodgers] is right now if he was still there.”
Another fan joked, “Respect to Sam for not saying, ‘I had to play for Adam Gase. What do you think?'”
Fans appreciated Darnold’s decision to take full responsibility for his performance, rather than blame former Jets coach Adam Gase or the organization. “That’s a great answer,” one fan tweeted, emphasizing how easy it would have been for Darnold to pass the blame.
While NFL fans admire Darnold’s class and humility, they also hope to see a more competitive edge when he faces his former team this Sunday. After all, the London matchup against the Jets offers a chance for Darnold to showcase his growth and prove his doubters wrong on an international stage.
Kickoff for the Vikings-Jets game is set for 9:30 a.m. ET, and fans will be watching to see how Darnold fares against the team where his NFL journey first began.
