Before the start of the season, some experts thought the Minnesota Vikings would be the worst team in the NFC North Division.
J.J. McCarthy’s injury only made that prediction even more popular among pundits, as they didn’t seem to have a lot of faith in Sam Darnold.
Fast forward to today, and the Vikings are one of the few undefeated teams in the league.
Granted, there has been some bad football played thus far, but the Vikings haven’t followed that trend.
If anything, they’ve beaten two legitimate Super Bowl contenders in back-to-back weeks, and Darnold is playing the best football of his career.
As a matter of fact, Matt Ryan believes he’s been the best quarterback in the league so far.
Talking on CBS Sports, the former MVP praised coach Kevin O’Connell for the way he’s handled Darnold (via The Purple Persuasion).
“He’s arguably been the best QB we’ve seen”
– Matt Ryan on #Vikings QB Sam Darnold through 3 weeks of the 2024 Season.
🎥 @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/HnpM4CPkuu
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 25, 2024
He claimed that there are some coaches who can just clear a quarterback’s mind and make it all easier for them with the way they teach and call plays.
And while it may have taken him a while, Darnold may have finally come together.
The fact that he’s done this without TJ Hockenson and Jordan Addison only makes it all the more impressive, and there’s no reason to think this is a fluke.
It’s difficult to trust a player who’s struggled for most of his career, but it’s not like Darnold didn’t have the talent or the physical tools to be a star.
It’s early in the season, but Darnold isn’t seeing ghosts anymore.
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Sam Darnold Has Made Vikings Franchise History