Wait… Sam Darnold Threw How Many Interceptions at Vikings Minicamp?!

Before the Minnesota Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy at pick No. 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft, they signed quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency to a one-year deal. At first, Darnold was brought in as a hedge piece in case the Vikings weren’t able to land one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.

Now that the draft has come and gone, most fans were initially expecting McCarthy to start right away but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. Darnold has shined this spring and is poised to be the Vikings starter week one.

Sam Darnold threw only one interception at Minnesota Vikings’ minicamp?

At this point, nearly every Minnesota Vikings’ beat writer has raved about Darnold’s performance throughout the offseason. However, there was a new nugget released to the public by Alec Lewis (The Athletic). Apparently, Sam Darnold only threw one interception all of mandatory minicamp… and wasn’t even his fault.

Per @Alec_Lewis, #Vikings QB Sam Darnold has “looked sharp and “might have thrown only 1 INT in mandatory minicamp” which might have been a byproduct of a poor route by his receiver 😳

📸: John Autey pic.twitter.com/tf6DkfnSL5

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 18, 2024

QB Sam Darnold: Looked sharp. Might have thrown only one interception in mandatory minicamp, and that might have been a byproduct of a poor route by his receiver.

Alec Lewis (The Athletic)

This is quite impressive if this is true. Although this will be Darnold’s first year in Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme, he spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan.

O’Connell’s scheme is very similar to what Shanahan runs with the 49ers. Case and point, Darnold has a leg up on McCarthy understanding the terminology of the offense and what is required of the quarterback to execute the scheme.

Sam Darnold 2024 outlook with the Minnesota Vikings

This isn’t the first time Darnold has performed well in the offseason. Darnold has been noted to “shine” in the offseason because he’s unbothered. But when he’s in games, it’s not always the same.

Related: Vikings Push More Sam Darnold Hype Through ESPN Insider; Temper J.J. McCarthy Expectations

In the end, the starting job for Darnold is his to lose. The Minnesota Vikings have stuck to their guns with bringing along McCarthy very slowly, while continuing to emphasize Darnold’s success this offseason. Darnold will head into training camp as the starting quarterback with the goal of playing all 17 games this season.