With veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins signing with the Atlanta Falcons in NFL free agency, the Minnesota Vikings were forced to take a different approach to the quarterback position during this offseason, which seemed to be the plan all along.
As a result of the void left by Cousins, the team chose to bring in former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold, who spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers as Brock Purdy’s backup.
Even though the addition of Darnold is a significant drop in talent at the quarterback position compared to Cousins being under center in Minnesota, the Vikings seem content with bringing in the veteran, who has bounced around the league during his career.
All signs seem to point toward the Vikings drafting a quarterback in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, whether they trade up for one of the best prospects or wait to see who is available when they’re on the clock at No. 11 overall.
In the meantime, Colin Cowherd of FOX Sports believes the Vikings could surprise some people next season, via The Volume.
“I think Darnold has a chance to be the Baker [Mayfield] story next year,” Cowherd said. “There’s just too many good players here.”
.@ColinCowherd is not giving up on Sam Darnold yet pic.twitter.com/bsk5aa7ZNC
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) March 19, 2024
Even though the Vikings may be a talented team on both sides of the football, the fact of the matter is Darnold has yet to prove he can be a winning player at the quarterback position on the NFL level.
Darnold has famously flamed out of every situation he’s been in with disappointing stints with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers before embracing the backup role in San Francisco.
Only time will tell if Darnold will succeed in Minnesota or if he ends up in another quarterback controversy, battling for his job with an incoming rookie.
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