Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates his touchdown to wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
He just can’t shake the stereotype.
Any time ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith hears about Sam Darnold, in general, or success regarding Darnold, Smith becomes a merchant of criticism, or at least a vehicle to pump the brakes.
Smith did so earlier this season when the Minnesota Vikings began cruising through the regular season with win after win. Now, the popular sports analyst is at it again.
“He deserves credit. We know he’s had a stellar season, et cetera, et cetera. The man hasn’t thrown for 300 yards since Nov. 24 against Chicago. I’m just throwing it out there. I mean, we acting like — let’s not act like this is the second coming of Dan Marino. … I’m just saying, can we pump the brakes?” Smith said this week on Get Up.
Darnold has produced 36 touchdowns this year and is on the brink of taking his team to the postseason. In fact, Minnesota could earn homefield advantage throughout the playoffs if it topples the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Sunday night.
And Smith can’t just get over the past version of Sam Darnold, who struggled in five seasons with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
In September, Smith called Darnold a “virus” that would lead to Minnesota’s undoing. “If you’re around some people with a cold enough, you’re going to get one. If you’re around some people with a virus, you’re going to get it. Contamination. You ever heard of that word? It happens,” Smith said about Darnold’s presence on the Vikings’ roster.
“When you’re around certain situations, ultimately, you become a byproduct of that. That’s what I am saying of Sam Darnold. I’m telling you, you’re very hopeful and I can appreciate that. But you’re sitting up there, talking to us like we’re supposed to expect the high level of production from this brother. I’m not doing that. I got to see it to believe it. That’s all I’m saying,” Smith continued a few months ago.
Darnold has not faltered since Smith’s initial slander, and his consistency has shown through for nearly all of the 2024 campaign. He did not “infect” the Vikings.
Smith concluded in September, “He’s been in the league for seven years, and what you describe him as being, I haven’t seen much of from him when he’s been in the lineup. So, I’m damn sure not going to assume I’m going to see that from him now.”
Two weeks after the virus comparison, Smith did not relent. “I saw Sam Darnold over the last six years. I’m not a believer yet. I’m not rooting against him, against this kid. Got a really big arm. I get all of that. But I’m not sold on what I’m seeing yet,” Smith said on First Take in mid-September when asked if Minnesota could make the playoffs.
So, if you’re keeping track at home, Smith has gone from:
Minnesota is a three-point underdog at Detroit this weekend.
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.