Strib: Renaissance Sam

[StickierBuns]

"Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold doesn't say much about himself. So we let his teammates and coaches say it all."

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi.../601204145

"Sam Darnold's time in Minnesota has served as a career reset. In a micro sense, that's his same objective Monday night against the Rams after producing the worst performance of his otherwise magical season.

Darnold is looking to resume the good vibes that got extinguished in the regular-season finale in Detroit. The fate of the Vikings' playoff future hinges on Darnold"s ability to regroup and not carry what happened against the Lions into his first postseason game.

Vikings coaches and teammates expressed confidence in their quarterback this week, but the playoff path is far more daunting as a wild-card entrant forced to hit the road.

Darnold isn't one to delve too deep into big-picture ramifications in media interviews. He's cordial but guarded in discussing football, his career and most other topics.

So we tried a different tactic. The Minnesota Star Tribune asked three dozen Vikings players and some of their coaches in recent weeks to share one morsel of information that helps explain Darnold as a person and teammate."

If you open this in the incognito window, you should be able to read it.

[Canthony]

Monday night will go a long way to see just who Darnold is. Hes having a great season, no doubt. I still dont feel he is a QB that you will hedge your future of your franchise on.

[Montana Tom]

I read that this morning...he's pretty genuine, flat-line emotional, same prep routines, dry sense of humor, athletic, witty.
I remember the day last March when it was announced that we signed him for $10mm. I was a bit curious. I had completely forgotten about him and his bouncing around the league.

[MaroonBells]

Renaissance literally translates to "rebirth" so the headline is appropriate. This whole season has been a rebirth for him.

I think the football world is happy for Sam, but if he doesn't bounce back in Glendale, the 2024 regular season is probably going to be viewed as a kind of outlier. He doesn't have to win, but he can't be the reason we lose or the only thing people will remember is how it ended. No pressure, Sammy D.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

Regardless of the outcome Monday night, he has made himself a lot of money this year and is likely to be a starter going forward. The only question is where that will be. The story remains to be written. Gather it back up and go to, or even win, the Superbowl, there's a fair chance he will be with the Vikings next year. Any thing less, which seems more likely, some QB needy team will take a chance on him. He has been one of the best QB's in the league this year. Several teams wish they had a QB as good!

[purplefaithful]

I suspect:

Vikings already feel like they have a good bead on Sam the player and person. What happens Monday wont significantly change that
They have a good idea of what they are going to do post-season contract wise. Extension or Tag etc..
They will not steer away from the long-term plan.
Are prepared to lose him to another team who blows them up contract wise
They still believe JJM is their QBOTF and Long Term

So I'm just enjoying the ride and anticipating how the off-season shakes out.