Raise your hand again if you believe in Darnold

[StickierBuns]

Now that McCarthy is out....having shown he's The Man for next year, validated by KOC.....focus is all on Sam Darnold. I personally don't think he's going to have any kind of epiphany, but I will say that its possible he plays decently for a bit. But it won't last long. I mean the NY Giants game on the road to kick off the season is a game they could win, I think I can say that without sarcasm. But will they? 

I know there are a few here that believe in Sam, at least that he could play decently because this will be the best team he's ever been on. Fingers crossed for sure, would love to see him go nuts. I just don't think it will happen. I wonder now how long KOC could have kept JJM out if he continued on the trajectory he was before the injury?

[TheWinterSKOLdier]

Now that McCarthy is out....having shown he's The Man for next year, validated by KOC.....focus is all on Sam Darnold. I personally don't think he's going to have any kind of epiphany, but I will say that its possible he plays decently for a bit. But it won't last long. I mean the NY Giants game on the road to kick off the season is a game they could win, I think I can say that without sarcasm. But will they? 

I know there are a few here that believe in Sam, at least that he could play decently because this will be the best team he's ever been on. Fingers crossed for sure, would love to see him go nuts. I just don't think it will happen. I wonder now how long KOC could have kept JJM out if he continued on the trajectory he was before the injury?

I surely hope so. I'll be there for that game, and starting off with a loss to the Giants before that brutal stretch would not be ideal.

[Zanary]

I've been saying that he could be a "good problem" as QB1 for months, and I'm not changing my mind. He has a huge chance for redemption with the best supporting cast he will have ever known as a starter.

I worry about out IOL, as I have for years, but that would be a problem for any/all of our QBs.

[purplefaithful]

KOC's offensive schemes can make a lot of players look better.

For Darnolds sake, fans sake and the orgs sake, I hope thats the case this year for him.

23 sucked, lets have some fun in 2024. Its what we're all going to be living the next 5-6 mos.

[MaroonBells]

Now that McCarthy is out....having shown he's The Man for next year, validated by KOC.....focus is all on Sam Darnold. I personally don't think he's going to have any kind of epiphany, but I will say that its possible he plays decently for a bit. But it won't last long. I mean the NY Giants game on the road to kick off the season is a game they could win, I think I can say that without sarcasm. But will they? 

I know there are a few here that believe in Sam, at least that he could play decently because this will be the best team he's ever been on. Fingers crossed for sure, would love to see him go nuts. I just don't think it will happen. I wonder now how long KOC could have kept JJM out if he continued on the trajectory he was before the injury?

It's not so much believing in Sam as much as believing in the talent on the roster. Sometimes I think people forget that we have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson, Christian Darrisawall and a top half offensive line...all of it run by one of the better offensive minds in football. And Brian Flores driving QBs crazy on the other side. A team with that much talent is never going to be non-competitive. 

Personally, I think after six years of a QB who could be counted on for roughly 4,000 yards, 30 TDs and 10 INTs, moving to Darnold is going to frustrate the hell out of many of us. At times. But there are also going to be times when he lights it up. I'm expecting a mix of good and bad, with a little more good than bad. I think that's going to surprise some of the people who just expect the same Darnold we saw in New York and Carolina.

[PurplePastor]

I am skeptically optimistic. I'm hoping KOC is the QB whisperer that Darnold needs. I think Darnold has the tools and talent, it's the decision-making under pressure that makes me skeptical.

[pattersaur]

Nah, I don't really believe. Jets will still do big numbers because I think he's probably the best skill player in the league, but the team will have no reason to rush Hockenson back and if Addison really does have a high ankle sprain, that can linger and linger for some guys. I like the RB room we have and do think they'll help Darnold out a lot.

But when I look at the schedule I see a brutal start, followed by some wins as we find our footing, and most likely collapsing down the stretch when our talent deficiencies catch up to us. Some of that deficiency I see is Darnold but it's also our secondary and unproven DL.

McCarthy was the one wildcard who-- if he started after the bye as I was thinking he would-- could maybe be the Chosen One and lead the team on a fun ride to elevate an average team into the playoffs. Sadly, that dream died but the Viking Gods work in mysterious ways. Maybe Darnold and the 2024 squad will prove me wrong! It's happened many times before.

[JR44]

I think last year ended up being a primer for this year, each week we will be wondering which QB is going to show up.  Were we going to get the Pastronaut  or just the "naut", good Mullens or "Nullens".  This year Darnold or "Darn't".  I expect him to have a great first 2-3 games, cause that is how Viking history works, it will be enough to build our hopes up and then the roller coaster will begin.

[FLVike]

I look at it like this; last season we went 4-4 and then threw in the rookie Hall, then Dobbs, then Mullens who looked as if they were not even close to being prepared and we won 3 games.
Are we not better with a veteran QB with a full training camp and with Jefferson back and a better RB?

[pattersaur]

I look at it like this; last season we went 4-4 and then threw in the rookie Hall, then Dobbs, then Mullens who looked as if they were not even close to being prepared and we won 3 games.
Are we not better with a veteran QB with a full training camp and with Jefferson back and a better RB?

Yes, if this team stays 100% healthy they’ll be better than last year. Seems more likely we’ll suffer some injuries along the way and wind up with a similar or worse finish than 2023.