Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold wouldn’t take the bait on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium.
Maybe because he’s simply not wired to seek revenge. Maybe because he has truly moved on from the toughest stretch of his career.
Nonetheless, after Darnold completed 19 of 24 passes for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Vikings to a 28-6 win over the New York Giants, he was given a chance to rub it in the face of some people who had ever doubted him.
What was it like to have that type of performance for the Vikings in the same place he used to play home games for the New York Jets? (It’s important to note that the Jets and the Giants both play home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford N.J.)
“Obviously it’s great to be back,” Darnold said. “It’s been a while since I’ve played here.”
It was admirable restraint from Darnold. Frankly, nobody would’ve blamed him for going scorched earth in that moment, especially considering how badly the Jets bungled his development after selecting him with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft.
Not only did they thrust Darnold into the spotlight as a 20-year-old before he was ready, they failed to surround him with the weapons necessary to succeed at the highest level. The result was a roller coaster that nearly derailed his career before it really even got started.
After being run out of town by the Jets and their relentless fan base, Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he experienced more dysfunction. He finally found some stability with the San Francisco 49ers and signed with the Vikings this offseason largely because of the pieces already in place.
Who wouldn’t want to operate in a system designed by coach Kevin O’Connell? Who wouldn’t want to throw to superstar receiver Justin Jefferson and fellow receiver Jordan Addison? Who wouldn’t want star tight end T.J. Hockenson as a security blanket once he got healthy?
It represented something Darnold never had during the early stages of his career.
A support system. That’s all he has ever needed.
That was on display as Darnold helped the Vikings dismantle the Giants. He got hot to start the game and completed 12 straight passes before the ball finally touched the ground. Whether he was going deep to Jefferson for a 44-yard gain, or finding speedy receiver Jalen Nailor wide open in the end zone, Darnold proved that talent has never been an issue for him.
“I don’t think anybody is surprised that Sam played the way he did today,” O’Connell said. “I know I’m certainly not. I tried to foreshadow as much as I could throughout training camp. I’m just proud of him.”
The confidence in Darnold has been building ever since he arrived at TCO Performance Center. He has slowly started to take more ownership of the offense and has earned the trust of his teammates with his work ethic and attention to detail on a daily basis.
“It starts with him,” Jefferson said. “Just him being a leader of our team.”
Now there are going to be ups and downs for Darnold as he continues to progress with the Vikings. He’s not going to be the highest graded passer by Pro Football Focus on a weekly basis.
That said, Darnold balling out in his debut with the Vikings is not insignificant. It shows he can still be the player some people thought he could be all along.
“Just playing with confidence,” Darnold said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
It’s always has been for him.
A Minnesota Vikings fan wears a makeshift Sam Darnold #14 jersey during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings signals to his team in the first quarter of the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 08, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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