How good was Darnold?

One point that’s important to make, is that while JJM hasn’t seen the NFL regular season field, he’s less of an unknown than say a rookie or veteran who you haven’t had in the building every day for a year. We’re pretty close to the earliest possible timeline that JJM could have returned from his injury and surgery if we needed him too. I’d imagine that in the not too distant future, his rehab will expand into practices that will give the team more information about his development and command of the offense.

MaroonBells wrote:

Yep, FLV was convinced Darnold would be better than Cousins. He was the only one I can recall. Hell, I just said he'd have his best year as a pro—which was a bit like predicting the sun will come up tomorrow—but even that drew some ridicule...from those who were somehow unaware just how low that bar was. 

Specifically, I predicted 3800 yards, 28 TDs and 14 INTs. He's on pace to blow that out of the water. What's really remarkable to me is the fact that he's only had two games, 2 in 12, where his passer rating dropped below 100. No QB in the NFL can say that. Not Jackson, not Goff, not Burrow, not Allen.

He holds the ball too damn long, is loathe to take the check-down and I dont know how quickly he reads the D. 

But all that said, I am really going to miss Good Sam and am somewhat remiss to let him just go sign elsewhere. I guess (like others have said) you gotta place trust in KOC...And with QB's (especially) that isn't as hard for me as a fan. 

KOC is not perfect, but the trajectory and data points to date make it hard to ignore he's a pretty damn good coach.

This feasible?

Someone else mentioned Darnold to LA Rams and it makes PERFECT SENSE to me...I just dont think the Vikings will benefit from the move is all.

purplefaithful wrote:
Someone else mentioned Darnold to LA Rams and it makes PERFECT SENSE to me...I just dont think the Vikings will benefit from the move is all.

You don't think they'd benefit from a 1st round pick? Or you don't think the Rams would give us one? 

I don't know anything about the tag and trade. It sounds like this has happened a few times the last few years, so it's not just fantasy, but I think it's pretty rare. Yes, the Rams make a lot of sense for Darnold. But is Stafford even ready to retire? He's only 36. Seems a little young for that.

pattersaur wrote:

Literally only @"FLVike" hah. Pretty sure it was him who said he thought Darnold would be comparable to Kirk. I thought he was nuts at the time, shows what I know.

Thank you, I have many times when I'm wrong but I'm sure glad I got this one right.

medaille wrote:
The situation would be like other teams are offering Darnold 3 years $40, and we offer him 1 year $45M to run it back and really maximize his ability to get a better FA deal in 2026.

Who are the other teams? I find these scenarios tough to believe.

Everybody's favorite Rams scenario? Stafford's got 62 mil in cash coming over the next two seasons. If he can stand upright and say hello I doubt he walks away from that cash. The dead cap hit for the Rams if he retires is a higher number than that as well.

To me the list of teams that A) have cap space and B) need a qb is pretty short. Las Vegas, the Giants, maybe Tennessee but Levis is playing a little better lately and teams will tend to keep trying with a cheap rookie before they spend a lot on a vet. New Orleans could use a qb but they are 77 mil over the cap in 2025. He's not going back to the Jets even if Rodgers does us all a favor and gets off the stage.

And potential teams might draft a qb and then Sam is looking at a bridge contract. A team that is going to pay Sam the big dough must assume that it has the coaching, targets, and all around support system that is masking Sam's flaws as well as we are this year. Maybe San Fran would move off Purdy since Shanahan had him in the building last year. A longshot at best.

MaroonBells wrote:
This feasible?

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Feasible or fantasy?
What happens when Darnold takes another team to the playoffs and The Vikings win 5 games with a rookie QB.
It may not happen, but if Darnold takes them to the playoffs and wins a game, you have to consider keeping him.
If Flores leaves and McCarthy busts, it wouldn't look very good.

IMO I will say this; we haven't been to the Superbowl in 48 years and there is a line of QBs, including two in the Hall of Fame, that couldn't get us there. The QB that gets us to the Superbowl will be a hero and there is absolutely no way we are going to let him just walk away without trying our best to keep him.

StickierBuns wrote:

Brother, I can tell you this 100%. If Sammy wins the Vikings the Superbowl this year, he won't be going anywhere! ;)

That would be an interesting wager. What would you make the odds that they retain him off a SB win? Even? Less than even? 2-1 in favor, 3-1, 5-1? Curious.

hogjowlsjohnny wrote:

Feasible or fantasy?
What happens when Darnold takes another team to the playoffs and The Vikings win 5 games with a rookie QB.
It may not happen, but if Darnold takes them to the playoffs and wins a game, you have to consider keeping him.
If Flores leaves and McCarthy busts, it wouldn't look very good.

Sounds like a more reasonable benchmark than a Super Bowl victory. 

Still, I don't think it will come down to winning this game or that game, but more so how Darnold plays the remaining 5 games. At that point, there will likely be a calculation made by KAM and KOC putting JJM's knee, cap space and the opportunity to add several quality free agents on one side and the security of going into 2025 with a proven, and very valuable, tradable asset in Darnold on the other.

And D. Dimes makes things messier...Or, maybe its just more options depending on how you want to internalize it.

I agree, they are going to see this play-out completely and make a call later. No need to rush anything.

Here's a thought I cant shake re: Darnold,  A big part of me thinks his success is traceable to the on-going mentoring from KOC/Staff, team culture and this surround.

I dont know if he is going to have the same success elsewhere tbh. Future buyers beware.

StickierBuns wrote:

100% this. And teams will have trepidation. Will be interesting to watch it unfold.

And I guess there is no reason to believe those same factors wont propel a 21 year old JJM either. Lots of attributes with him to play with in the QB lab. 

So maybe the Vikings have some riches at QB as opposed to a problem that needs to be solved???

purplefaithful wrote:

And I guess there is no reason to believe those same factors wont propel a 21 year old JJM either. Lots of attributes with him to play with in the QB lab. 

So maybe the Vikings have some riches at QB as opposed to a problem that needs to be solved???

That's just it. That the Vikings have two very good options at QB next year is a great problem to have. But it sure seems to get the kids on Twitter bent out of shape.