It’s only been four games, but Sam Darnold, now the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, seems to be realizing the potential many saw in him when he was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018. After enduring challenging seasons with both the Jets and the Carolina Panthers, Darnold is thriving in his first season with the Vikings. Not only is he making a strong case for the Pro Bowl, but he’s also emerging as an early MVP candidate in 2024.
Ahead of this weekend’s matchup in London against his former team, the Jets, Darnold spoke to reporters about his past struggles and his journey to success. When asked if he felt the Jets organization failed him as a player, Darnold was direct in his response: “No.” He took accountability, acknowledging that he had opportunities in New York but didn’t perform up to expectations.
“I had a lot of opportunities in New York and I always felt like I could have played better there,” Darnold said.
Sam Darnold: Jets didn’t fail me, I had a lot of opportunities. https://t.co/t1GrLDuMfp
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) October 3, 2024
Despite the difficulties in New York, Darnold seems to harbor no ill will toward the franchise. His time with the Jets was marked by inconsistency, and he never quite lived up to the high expectations set for him as the team’s franchise quarterback. After being traded to the Panthers in 2021, his struggles continued, and it seemed like he might not find a home in the NFL.
However, things have turned around for Darnold since signing with the Vikings in 2024. His impressive start to the season has sparked conversations about whether the Jets’ organizational mismanagement was to blame for his early career difficulties. Fans and analysts have pointed to other former Jets quarterbacks, like Geno Smith, who also found success after leaving New York, suggesting that the team may have mishandled their development.
But as Darnold’s journey shows, not all quarterbacks hit their stride immediately. Geno Smith, for example, didn’t make his first Pro Bowl until his 10th season in the NFL, while Darnold is aiming for his first in his seventh. While some blame can certainly be placed on the Jets for their inability to develop young quarterbacks, Darnold’s maturity and self-awareness highlight that there’s more to the story than just organizational failures.
Darnold’s message to the Jets, and perhaps the NFL at large, is one of growth and perseverance. He’s not dwelling on the past but focusing on the bright future ahead with the Vikings. As he continues to prove himself in Minnesota, it’s clear that Darnold’s journey is far from over, and his resurgence in 2024 is just the beginning.
With his matchup against the Jets looming, Darnold has an opportunity to show how far he’s come—and it’s hard not to root for a player who’s overcome adversity with class and determination.
