Kirk Cousins vs Sam Darnold – Comparing Old/New Minnesota Vikings QBs Through Week 9
This offseason was among the most impactful in recent memory for the Minnesota Vikings. There was substantial turnover among key positions and big name players. None were more important than a changing of the guard at quarterback. Out with Kirk Cousins and in with Sam Darnold.
Now at the halfway point of the season, the Vikings own a 6-2 record. It’s clear that head coach Kevin O’Connell is getting the best out of his new QB1. Still, there is plenty of intrigue regarding his former quarterback, and now (at the halfway mark of the 2024 season), it’s the perfect time to check in on who is making out better on the switch.
Tale of the tape for Vikings quarterbacks
It wasn’t as though the Vikings didn’t want Kirk Cousins back under center. Understandably though, they didn’t want him for the price he was asking. So far, Darnold has been a great get, at $10 million for this season.
Of course, Kirk brings over a decade of consistency to Atlanta, where after a rocky start, he’s rebounded nicely. So, how do the two compare, so far this season? Let’s take a look under the hood.
| Name | Yards | TD | INT | Comp % | Rating | Record | PFF Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | 2328 | 17 | 7 | 69.2 | 61.0 | 6-3 | 77.3 |
| Sam Darnold | 1900 | 17 | 7 | 69.5 | 58.3 | 6-2 | 75.1 |
One thing of note: Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons have played one more game than the Minnesota Vikings. Still, the similarity in their statline for 2024 is uncanny. Arguably the most consequential difference between the two is not listed in the chart above. Cousins costs $25 million this year, and over $100 million over three. Darnold does not.
Thru 8 games…
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) November 4, 2024
Kirk Cousins 🤝 Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/22FK3mC9U1
Related: Kirk Cousins Gets Best of Mike Zimmer in Battle of Former Vikings
This is the exact outcome that the Vikings were looking for. Darnold has been revived to look like a competent signal caller. There were comparisons to Cousins thrown out earlier this year, but as the season goes on, the numbers become even more consequential.
Darnold rolls to his left and finds Josh Oliver for the TD to extend the @Vikings lead!
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
📺: #INDvsMIN on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/RF4iPHLcxT
Related: Why Do NFL Referees Hate Sam Darnold?
It wasn’t as though Cousins couldn’t lead a team to a Super Bowl. The reality is that his cap hit made that possibility much more difficult from a roster building standpoint. The opposite has proven true for Darnold.
We have seen that play out with moves for Stephon Gilmore, and more recently, Cam Robinson. Minnesota paying less for their quarterback has allowed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to address other areas on the team.
Related: Vikings vs Colts: Referee Tries to Explain Latest Missed Roughing Call Against Sam Darnold
It’s great that Kirk Cousins has performed well for the Atlanta Falcons after getting off to a rough start. It’s also great that the Vikings made the right call on Sam Darnold. So far things are working out for both parties.
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