Is Sam Darnold for Real? One Minnesota Vikings Insider Says Yes

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Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings have kicked off their season with a pair of wins. One of those could have been expected while the other was more of a surprise. The most impressive factor in both has been the play of veteran quarterback Sam Darnold.

Kevin O’Connell has Sam Darnold rolling for the Minnesota Vikings

Any disbelief in the Minnesota Vikings this season has largely been rooted in expectations for Sam Darnold. Evaluation of him has been through the eyes of what he was, and not what he could be. The reality is that he has been among the league’s best for two weeks and ESPN Senior Staff writer Kevin Siefert says it’s time to believe.

“There were widespread expectations Darnold could make a big jump in the Vikings’ environment, thanks to a talented supporting cast and a quarterback-centric coaching staff. But Darnold finished Week 2 with the NFL’s fifth-best QBR (71.2) and has been trusted to do much more than simply manage the Vikings’ offense. Is Darnold going to finish the season as a top-five quarterback? Perhaps not, but there’s a lot of evidence to suggest he’ll be much better than serviceable. “I think we all need to just start being totally present,” coach Kevin O’Connell said, “and when he plays well like he has, we just talk about a guy playing the position at a high level and we move on.”

Kevin Seifert calling Sam Darnold’s hot start real (ESPN)

As head coach Kevin O’Connell notes, it’s time to live in the present. O’Connell is very clearly a high-level coach and so far he is getting the best out of Darnold. It’s great that the Minnesota Vikings provide their quarterback a strong supporting cast. It’s equally important he has been built up to a place where he can utilize it.

Related: Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Gets Emotional Talking About Sam Darnold

Darnold has started to turn the tables on his career narrative, and he has a clear runway to continue making it work with rookie J.J. McCarthy out for the year.

What’s next for Sam Darnold?

Of course there’s another tough test for Sam Darnold in Week 3. After the soft landing spot in New York, Minnesota’s schedule turns into a gauntlet. The Minnesota Vikings besting the San Francisco 49ers was impressive. Darnold will need to be good again on Sunday against the Houston Texans.

DeMeco Ryans had his team finish as a surprise division winner last season. They have started 2-0 with close wins against the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears this season. The Texans may be without Joe Mixon and instead start Cam Akers on Sunday. The Vikings still have to contend with Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs.

Darnold himself will look to build upon strong numbers to open the season. He has made some big throws including the 97-yard dot to Justin Jefferson in Week 2. A third straight win will generate some serious momentum for the former first round pick. He could then parlay that feeling into his first experience in a rivalry game at Lambeau Field.

Related: PFF Falling in Love with Minnesota Vikings After Week 2

The Vikings will see Darnold pass the 500-yard threshold on the season Sunday. He’s building at a pace that should easily have him surpass the 3,024 yard career-high set back in 2019.

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