Sam Darnold doesn’t feel the Jets have failed him during his three years with the team. On the contrary, Darnold wishes he had played better for the franchise that made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft. NFL Draft.
While things didn’t work out in New York, Darnold is enjoying a breakout season for the Vikings. Minnesota is 4-0 entering Sunday’s game against the Jets, who have split their first two games with a four-game sweep. NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers under center.
“No,” Darnold said when asked about the Jets possibly failing him. “I think I had a lot of opportunities in New York. I always felt I could have played better there.”
Like many young quarterbacks who do not have immediate success, there were factors beyond Darnold’s control that contributed to him and the team not meeting expectations. Injuries (both to Darnold and several other key players), failed draft picks, disappointing free agent acquisitions and inept coaching were all contributing factors in Darnold winning only 34.2% of his games as the Jets’ starting quarterback.
Darnold, too, contributed to the lack of success because he was a young player who was trying to find his way in the NFL. In hindsight, Darnold probably could have used a year or two of observation instead of being thrown into the fire as a rookie.
Darnold had some success during his short stint in Carolina, but like his Jets experience, the Panthers also went through a transition that included a coaching change. He spent last year as Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco and was slated to be JJ McCarthy’s backup in Minnesota until the Vikings’ rookie quarterback was ready to start.
That plan quickly changed when McCarthy sustained a season-ending injury before the start of the regular season. To say Darnold ran with his unexpected opportunity would be a massive understatement. He enters Sunday’s game as the league’s leader in touchdown passes (11) and is the early front-runner for Comeback Player of the Year.
“I think he’s doing a great job,” Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said said of his former teammate. “He’s playing out of his mind right now, he’s balling right now, he’s doing a lot of great things. I’ve been here with him for a couple of years. Very excited to go against him, it’s going to be a great challenge.”
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