Just because there aren't a lot of better options doesn't mean he is anything more than a backup quality NFL QB.
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QB Sam Darnold, SEA (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Soulfly3
- Start date
Sure but not what I was asking.
My point was I am not so sure the NFL has that "much more favorable opinion of him then NFL fans". I think the NFL doesn't have many choices so he keeps getting chances.
I don't see it that way.
Carolina gives up a fairly significant amount for him, both in draft pick comp and salary.
I believe SF paid him about $6M, traded Lance and left themselves with nothing but Darnold behind a QB who had not played a ton but most of all was coming off a big injury. So not a huge commitment in Darnold in terms of compensation, more solid, but kind of a large belief in him with respect the role or potential role they placed him.
Denver and the Vikings were vying for his services, both teams with potential to not be able to draft a QB high, so both teams vying for his services with the idea he might be their starter. He ends up choosing the Vikings for $10m. So again, not massive I think only Minshew got more APY. Beat a proven solid backup like Jacoby Brisset by $2M. Optoins are not great but a lot of NFL fans love Fields. No interest. Vikings showed no reported interest in Wilson. I think its' fair to say at least Denver and Minny were targetting Darnold over all the other options.
Hard to convince me NFL decison makers don't like Darnold way more then fans.
Bradford was A LOT better than Darnold though. Bradford was a legit NFL starting QB (nowhere near worth the #1 overall pick though) for several years in the mid 2010s.
Maybe he's a great practice/locker room guy?
I don't think the NFL decision makers necessarily knows better than fans. They make terrible decisions that were obviously bad decisions at the time (not just with hindsight) constantly.
So the QB's in comparison for you to show that NFL likes Darnlold a lot more than fans is that he was chosen over Lance (way over his head and terrible), Wilson (past his prime and basically zero upside or future), Brissett (I would say a guy equal to Darnlold but older), and Minshew (a journeyman backup placeholder)?
None of that screams that the NFL likes Darnlold much. He is just a guy that was available for not much cost. Sure, why not see if we can salvage at least something until we find someone that can actually do the job for us.
None of that screams the NFL likes him a lot.
They get it wrong a lot, we all do, just worse that it's their one job.
He just keeps getting some really prime second chances.
Just seriously asking if it's the youth/pedigree, still clinging to their pre-draft scouting, think they can fix him?
I'm still intrigued by him for those reasons myself, though I think the Jets years might have broke him. I'm sure the Vikings will draft a QB and he won't have a long runway, but I'm kind of hoping he gets at least a few games to see if he can show something. I'm not betting on it working on out, but I think it could.
Does to me.
I think some of it is clinging to pre-draft scouting, because there's not NFL tape to suggest he deserves anything more than a clear backup role. I was being serious when I said he might just be a good locker room/practice guy. Personally, I think he was a boom/bust prospect to begin with. He was never really elite at USC, struggling with accuracy, and that problem has only gotten worse in the NFL.
His best year was that late 2022 stretch in Carolina, but he wasn't as good as his 92.6 passer rating suggested, as Carolina was running the ball as much as anyone in the NFL at the time, and mostly doing PA 1-side reads for Darnold. That's pretty unsustainable, and even in those circumstances, Darnold was completing just 58% of his passes.
My hope for Vikings fans, is that they end up with a QB that can start week 1, whether that involves a trade up, or taking Nix/Penix at #11, because I'm not certain Darnold is an upgrade from the guys they started after Cousins got hurt last year.
Boston
Footballguy
I think a good part of the intrigue with him right now is he was just coached by Shanahan for a year…not sure how much it will translate but I do think that is a big factor for those hoping he can be competent…if he had been a backup for a lot of other teams I bet Minny doesn’t target him.
KellysHeroes
Footballguy
I mean GB & Love / Det looks amazing and da Bears have an outstanding offense and are drafting a generational talent; Minny is in last place not matter what IMO but drafting QB 4/5 at pick 6 is a mistake to me. Now if they can trade back and get McCarthy would a different story, but I say let it ride this yr
stuckinthemuck
Footballguy
Averaging 220-1-1 for a few weeks might be useful for some SF leagues.
Drunken Benson
Footballguy
So now that J.J. McCarthy is out for the year, what do we think? Darnold has never been good, but he's never been in a decent situation either. MIN has great receivers and solid coaching. I'm thinking strong QB2, but maybe late QB1. But I have no idea.
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eighsse2
Footballguy
I don't know about strong QB2 even. Low 2.
steelcityman
Footballguy
Back end QB2 now, but could really explode into a back end QB1. He does have weapons, and will get Hock back at some point as well. But if he stinks, Mullens could start there by week 5-6.
I'm not taking any of them.
I'm not taking any of them.
Pip's Invitation
Footballguy
QB is pretty deep in start-1-QB leagues, especially those with 6-point pass TDs. Darnold now has a good case to be drafted as a QB2. There are at least 15 guys I'd want before him as my QB1.
-OZ-
Footballguy
Definitely not drafting as a QB1 unless you have 32 teams. I like him in best ball as a 3 still.
Stealthycat
Footballguy
downgrade MIN offense with Darnold at helm /?
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I got him for Howell + a 4th in SF, and would much rather have him than Geno or Russel Wilson. It’s not even close.
Much better OL, and a QB friendly scheme, plus JJ to throw to, along with Addison & at some point Hock?
Yep - super happy I dealt for him. Will definitely make him my QB2 in redraft.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I’m not. I expected Darnold to start at least 8 games anyway.
Chaka
Footballguy
Sleeper alert said Addison apparently went down and was carted off.
socrates
Footballguy
or upgrade? While I fully expect McCarthy to be the superior QB, he may not have put up the superior numbers this season.
I wouldn't say Darnold has never had a DECENT situation. He an ok OL, CMC, and DJ Moore in Carolina. The current Vikings are probably better than that, especially when Hockenson gets back, but its not like Darnold's whole career was just terrible supporting casts.
msudaisy26
Footballguy
He has a weapon.
Drunken Benson
Footballguy
It was the Matt Rhule era, but point taken.
Desert_Power
Footballguy
CMC getting hurt during the 3rd game of the year really derailed that season. Darnold had a decent start though.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Not sure touch is the word I would use.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Exactly my feeling. Or they may have tried to limit what JJM did as compared to a more seasoned QB.
Most folks bashing on Darnold are basing it off of his play with the Jets & other bad teams.
I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt with a fresh start in a good offense.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Do we really need more than 1 Sam Darnold topic? Some might argue 1 was too many. 
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Darnold is the QB comparison to holders for kickers who don’t put laces out.
eighsse2
Footballguy
I'd be okay with as many as 5, but I think they should be moved to Politics.Do we really need more than 1 Sam Darnold topic? Some might argue 1 was too many.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
@FBG Moderator - can you merge this with the Sam Darnold topic?
I think he can exceed his career best in this offense. but the bar is pretty low there.
I wouldnt draft him, but I'd put him on my 'players to watch' list and if he shows signs of doing well in this offense I'd consider a waiver wire pickup.
I'd also downgrade all the vikings receivers with this news.
I wouldnt draft him, but I'd put him on my 'players to watch' list and if he shows signs of doing well in this offense I'd consider a waiver wire pickup.
I'd also downgrade all the vikings receivers with this news.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Addison has a sprained ankle. I just updated his topic. I think he’ll live.
Smack Tripper
Footballguy
Dude is gonna ball, lots of ability here, KOC will do wonders for him and with no looking over his shoulder he should be able to take off.
Only a blessing he got a few years on the bench
I could see the vikings have a niners lance/purdy dynamic where your top 5 pick is wasted but you solved QB anyway
Only a blessing he got a few years on the bench
I could see the vikings have a niners lance/purdy dynamic where your top 5 pick is wasted but you solved QB anyway
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Yeah, he’s a stud.
Chaka
Footballguy
HC is a big part of the supporting cast.
That's where Darnold really started behind the 8-Ball. I like Todd Bowles but his staff was bad with the Jets. OC Jeremey Bates has been out of the league since 2018. Then Adam Gase followed by Matt Ruhl. Those are HCs, and the most important parts of their offensive coaching staff (Ben MacAdoo was Darnold's OC at one point) who were woefully in over their head.
At this point, I don't see much hope for Darnold suddenly turning it around because I think he is probably broken mentally. But I have learned not to doubt Kevin O'Connell's ability to get the most out of a QB. It would be a bummer if Addison misses time but with JJ as the WR1 you don't need much more to be successful as a QB.
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Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
He never had JJ to throw to.x.com
x.com
jabarony
Footballguy
Just bought him in SF for a, hopefully late, 2nd.
Skol Darnold! Am I saying that right?
Snagged Darnold in last round or two of some BB leagues past few weeks and hate the circumstances but pretty jacked about having him. Obviously liked him enough to take him pre-JJM injury on a 20 man one start QB team with no waivers.
But while KOC and JJ are going to be big assists to him I will say that Addison injury today could be pretty impactful. I know he’s not out for the season, but he was on crutches. That’s got two issues. If he’s not available first week or few of the season when Hock won’t return yet he’s going to be down some serious weaponry. Then Addison has a court date in October and when it’s done is likely looking at at least a 3 game suspension.
Bottom line is there is solid chance the majority of the first half of the season that Jalen Nailor will be their second targeted player among the WR’s and TE’s.
He’s still in the best position for success he’s ever been in, which says how bad the other places were(not counting SF of course).
But while KOC and JJ are going to be big assists to him I will say that Addison injury today could be pretty impactful. I know he’s not out for the season, but he was on crutches. That’s got two issues. If he’s not available first week or few of the season when Hock won’t return yet he’s going to be down some serious weaponry. Then Addison has a court date in October and when it’s done is likely looking at at least a 3 game suspension.
Bottom line is there is solid chance the majority of the first half of the season that Jalen Nailor will be their second targeted player among the WR’s and TE’s.
He’s still in the best position for success he’s ever been in, which says how bad the other places were(not counting SF of course).
thats the thing. playing under a bad coach can sometimes break a player. QB is tough enough as it is without having to deal with that.
future coaches likely have to make him unlearn all the stuff he learned in that bad situation. not an easy task.
his success is by no means a guarantee. but if he was to turn it around, this is the place to do it. its here, or never.
