“Most Intriguing Player” for Vikings Is a Head-Turner
The Minnesota Vikings are guaranteed to have a new starting quarterback in 4.5 weeks when the team takes the field in Week 1 at the New York Giants.
“Most Intriguing Player” for Vikings Is a Head-Turner
That will likely be veteran newcomer Sam Darnold, and according to The 33rd Team, Darnold is also Minnesota’s “most intriguing player” at training camp.
Camp is winding down — the preseason begins Saturday — but that didn’t stop The 33rd Team‘s Ari Meirov from nominating each team’s most intriguing players. Among options like J.J. McCarthy, Dallas Turner, Andrew Booth, Lewis Cine, Levi Drake Rodriguez, or Gabriel Murphy, for example, Darnold earned the unique title for Minnesota.
“The Vikings signed Darnold to be their bridge quarterback until a rookie (eventually J.J. McCarthy) could take over following Kirk Cousins’ departure in free agency,” Meirov explained. “However, I kept hearing this offseason and even during free agency before he signed with Minnesota that some coaches believe Darnold has untapped potential and that he didn’t get a fair chance in New York and Carolina.”
Most Vikings fans have experienced elation from J.J. McCarthy’s maturation and development at training camp, with Darnold somewhat of a footnote.
“During his one season in San Francisco, Darnold didn’t play much but did make an appearance in the 49ers’ blowout loss to Baltimore on a Monday night, where he showed some flashes that coaches keep bringing up,” Meirov added. “I believe Darnold has the edge in Minnesota’s quarterback competition, and with the weapons they have and Kevin O’Connell as the play-caller, I could see a scenario where Darnold finds early success and McCarthy sits for more than just a few games.”
Darnold, indeed, is the odds-on favorite to start for the Vikings out the gate this season, though McCarthy’s oddly strong production at training camp has forced the masses to rethink the quarterback battle.
Meanwhile, the Vikings released their first unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, and in short, Darnold checked in as the unabashed QB1 — with McCarthy evidently battling for a QB2 job, not QB1. McCarthy and Nick Mullens are listed on the depth chart as “backups” in their own category, with second-year signal-caller Jaren Hall the apparent QB4. Darnold is the standalone QB1 — on paper.
Last week, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters about the then-hypothetical depth chart, “As far as that depth chart in that room, I think it’s clear and obvious — like you guys do; you make the commitment to come out every day — you see it’s pretty darn even between Sam and J.J. And in many cases, J.J. getting a couple more [reps] with our ability to add some developmental stuff for the guys down the line.”
That comment seemed to level the playing field between Darnold and McCarthy before Tuesday’s depth chart plopped Darnold at QB1. And in that vein, Meirov may be onto something about Darnold’s intrigue.
O’Connell also expressed his belief in “playing the best player that gives you the best chance to win.”
Some Vikings fans believe Darnold can conduct a “2023 Baker Mayfield season” while surrounded by weaponry like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and T.J. Hockenson. Stay tuned.
Around the NFC North, Meirov listed Lukas Van Ness (EDGE, Packers), Jameson Williams (WR, Lions), and Austin Booker (EDGE, Bears) as the Vikings’ rivals’ most intriguing players at training camp.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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