Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has played for four different teams since the New York Jets drafted him as the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL in 2019. His next task is to take over for Kirk Cousins, who achieved three of his four Pro Bowl selections while playing for Minnesota.
The signing has received mixed reviews.
However, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is one of the people who believe in Darnold.
“Minnesota news broke that the Vikings are signing former Niners quarterback Sam Darnold, which is a great signing for them,” Kelce said on the “New Heights” podcast, presented by Wave Sports + Entertainment, on March 13. “I think Sam still has a lot of good football ahead of him. He had a tough situation over there in Carolina.”
The Jets traded Darnold to the Panthers in 2021, and he won the starting job after training camp. However, his season was interrupted by an injury in Week 9 and a stint on injured reserve. Despite this, he returned to finish the season as QB1.
Darnold competed againstTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield in camp the following season after the Panthers acquired Mayfield in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.
An ankle injury forced Darnold out, opening the way for Mayfield – and P.J. Walker – to start.
Darnold returned off the bench in Week 9 of that season. He went on to complete 64.3% of his passes for 1,201 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions in five starts across seven appearances in the final nine games.
Kirk Cousins’ Success With Vikings Could Bode Well for Sam Darnold
GettyKirk Cousins #8 and head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings.
The 6-foot-2 passer spent last season backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco under Head Coach Kyle Shanahan.
“I think he’s due for a comeback story man,” Kelce said, later offering a word of advice.
“Shout out to Darnold over there. Sammy getting paid and getting an opportunity. Dude, find T.J. [Hockenson]. Hockey, Hockenson’s gonna take you to the promised land, Sam. You find that tight end – 87.”
“The Vikings run a similar system to San Fran, where Donald was last year,” retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce said. “This is the second year in the same system. … Look at Kirk. Kirk’s been in this offense – between his time with Washington, to the Vikings, to now being down in Atlanta – it’s all this Shanahan-style offense, and he’s proven to be really good in it.”
Darnold could benefit in many of the same ways with Head Coach Kevin O’Connell calling the plays and options like Hockenson and Justin Jefferson in the passing game.
Jason Kelce did say he believes Cousins will be successful in Atlanta.
The former Viking completed 69.5% of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. His 291.4 passing yards per game led the NFL before he went down and lost his qualifying status.
Travis Kelce Compares Aaron Jones to Jamaal Charles
Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Travis Kelce compared Aaron Jones to former teammate, Jamaal Charles, one of the premier backs of his era only to have his career deterred by injuries. Charles was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
Jones has one Pro Bowl to his name. Is he set for a comeback season after his 2023 season was interrupted by injuries?
“I never imagined Aaron Jones leaving the Packers, man,” Kelce said.
“He's still very talented, man. What? He's one of the most fluid athletes I've seen with the ball in his hands, man. … You know who he reminds me of? … Jamal Charles, how he would kind of weave. He really wasn't a plant-your-foot, go-straight-ahead kind of guy. We would run inside zone, outside zone.
“He would just move like a f****** snake at full speed, and it was incredible. He can make himself very slim, had narrow hips, and just turn those shoulders a little bit, and f****** hit openings. It was f****** … like poetry watching that guy run.
“It’s very similar to what Aaron Jones is.”
Jones ran for 656 yards and two touchdowns on 142 carries for the Packers last season; with an average of 4.6 yards per carry.
