NFL Players Vote Vikings QB Sam Darnold CPOY
There are multiple end of season awards that have yet to be voted upon. That said, some of the secondary awards have begun to trickle out. Sam Darnold and Kevin O’Connell are amongst the most deserving for national recognition this season. That has been prevalent through early polling.
Sporting News calls Sam Darnold an award winner for MN Vikings
There were arguably no more impactful contributors to the Minnesota Vikings strong 2024 season than Sam Darnold and Kevin O’Connell. The former is in line for a significant payday. The latter has already received his, and won’t be going anywhere. Both have been given their flowers with Sporting News end of season awards.
“Darnold is the second Vikings player to win the award since its SN inception in 2008, following Adrian Peterson and his 2,097-yard rushing season in 2012. Quarterbacks have dominated this award of late, winning seven consecutive times.”
Vinnie Iyer on Darnold (Sporting News)
Despite stipulations suggesting that Darnold is not worthy of consideration for Comeback Player of the Year consideration, his performance was simply too much to ignore. He had nearly five times the votes as quarterback Joe Burrow, and cleared Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins by a healthy margin as well. More than 900 ballots were cast, all by peers of Darnold, to suggest he was worthy of the award recognition.
Sam Darnold was dealing on the Vikings' final three possessions after going down by 13 points. Pocket movement, accuracy, decisiveness, total command of the plan. 12 completions, 156 yards, 2 TDs.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 2, 2024
He delivered in the clutch for the second straight week. pic.twitter.com/0sxcFOg6aL
Related: Vikings QB Sam Darnold Wins PWFA NFL Most Improved Award
In his first season with Minnesota, Darnold recorded 4,319 passing yards with 35 touchdowns. He threw just 12 interceptions and led the Vikings to a 14-win season. To suggest he was anything but exceptional would be putting it lightly.
Kevin O’Connell picks up Sporting News honors for Minnesota as well
Fresh off a selection as the Pro Football Writers of America’s winner as NFL Coach of the Year, Kevin O’Connell has earned the same designation from The Sporting News.
“O’Connell also is an honorary coordinator of the year given he calls plays for Minnesota’s prolific offense, which finished No. 12 in passing and No. 9 in scoring. He got this award for adjusting well at QB to get a career year from Darnold after rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy went down with a preseason knee injury. He also had a strong staff led by Flores.”
Iyer on O’Connell (Sporting News)
We have seen Kevin O’Connell quickly become among the most impressive head coaches across the entire NFL. That needs to remain true next season as the Minnesota Vikings are likely to be breaking in former first round pick J.J. McCarthy. The only voting members for Coach of the Year consideration were the other head coaches across the NFL.
O’Connell is the 2nd Minnesota coach to win the award, following Bud Grant in 1969. Through three seasons O’Connell has compiled a 34-17 record while making to playoff appearances. The lone season he missed the postseason included a need to play a whopping four different quarterbacks.
Related: NFL World Noticed Timing of O’Connell Extension with Vikings vs Adofo-Mensah
The ability to turn Darnold into a usable commodity this season may have been his best work yet. It culminates in the coveted coaching recognition and can help to significantly jumpstart his future.
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