Sam Darnold Deserves More Credit For Vikings Success

[@GreenLightPodcast]

Will the Vikings win the NFC North? Make sure to like the video, subscribe and check out our full WK16 reactions, linked below: kzbin.infomD02hJkldvw

[@wb6162]

LONG time Vikings fan here. I grew up watching Fran Tarkenton in the 70's..that's how long. For me, we haven't had a QB like Darnold in a long, long time. Maybe ever. He reminds me more of big Ben Roethlisberger than any previous Vikings QB. He gets better as the game goes on, he gets better after he's hit a few times. He never gives up. He has a rocket for an arm and he's fearless. Against Seattle I had no doubt we would win. Sam Darnold inspires confidence.

[@robe2504]

Seahawks led from 4.21 to 3.51 to go, 30 seconds in the entire game. That was about the 6th or 7th time this season that KOC and Sam have combined to score on a drive when they really needed it. In week 2 vs the 49ers, with Hockenson on IR, Addison inactive, and Jefferson on the bench banged up - Sam led a game sealing drive with Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver against the fully healthy 49ers D that went to the last SB.

[@StillKeepOnLosing]

Who have ya beat? Medicore struggling houston team on bsd schedule spot then a hobbled J Love? You remember when they stepped up in class and got slapped around by Rams?

[@robe2504]

@@StillKeepOnLosing More than everyone except the Chiefs and same as the Lions.

[@StillKeepOnLosing]

@@robe2504 Lmfao. No silly you. Sad vikings logic. Lulz. That 13 win team that lost to Daniel Jones is Elite too huh? Lmfao

[@itz_brandonh2301]

@@StillKeepOnLosingfound the bears fan😂

[@StillKeepOnLosing]

@@itz_brandonh2301 Where?

[@bigbenbigben9237]

Vikings fan here. Vikings won’t be 13-2 without Darnold making clutch plays at the end in multiple games.

[@jaredpribyl]

LOL GENIUS RESPONSE BY KOC 🤣. “Ya…we just gotta be smarter about the direction we griddy” haha dude is sharp

[@suncatblue]

That TD play by Sam was wild. Injured on previous play. Comms go out. He subtly signals the route to Jets. Ideally evades serious pressure. Lands a dime to Jets, on the move, from an awkward base. Come on. That sequence was ELITE leadership and performance.

[@lukusluke]

Not to burst your bubble but the only play comms were out on was Sam's scramble to the left. KOC talked about it in his post game presser. The throw was still next level.

[@Ken_Scaletta]

@@lukusluke The TD to Jefferson was also improvised. Jets did not run the route he was supposed to run. He put up the hand Randy Moss style and they knew what they were going to do. The scramble and throw were also still elite.

[@scottfors1450]

No QB in the game is navigating the pocket as good as Sam Darnold right now

[@robe2504]

Remember in week 5 Sam getting delay of game penalties because he couldn't get the play in on time? Now he's changing calls at the line and organising the motions etc. This is the natural progression I expected as the scheme and playbook becomes intuitive for him, and the trust builds with his playmakers. That rushing play to the Vikes sideline and bench to get that play call was either genius or the biggest fluke in a decade.

[@jaredpribyl]

Sam has progressed to a whole new level now! A level I did not see him hitting this season. He doesn’t even turn the ball over anymore. 16 tds 1 interception the last 6 games? Cmon…that’s Elite of the Elite. He gonna get PAID soooo much if he does that in the playoffs too lol.

[@robe2504]

@@jaredpribyl Fortunately Kwesi has the tag that sets a maximum $41m ceiling on that. He won't even get to FA unless Kwesi wants to let him go for nothing. I don't see that happening given Sam's trade value to any of the 7 teams desperately needing a QB. Kwesi and Sam can start extension discussions with that $41m ceiling and work down from there. If Sam wants some trade clauses, he'll have to give something up. If he wants a longer deal, he'll have to give something up. I see something like a 2 year $70m deal being ideal for both. Kwesi can minimise the salary cap impact in 2025, so that he can still spend up in FA. Sam benefits because his supporting cast can be returned and boosted. Sam gets to spend more time with KOC and consolidate his trade and future value as more than a one year wonder. KOC gets an extended window to prepare JJ, and ensure that JJ is the better long term option, and pick the ideal transition time, (week 1 in 2026, after a preview during week 18 of 2025 when KOC is resting the starters for the playoffs?). Kwesi gets an extended trade window and leverage, and the ability to maximise the haul of picks and ensure that Sam goes to a good home in the AFC. Sam wants to stay. The team absolutely loves him. JJ seems happy to wait for his turn. No one has made a credible argument against keeping Sam. Skol!

[@jaredpribyl]

@ ya there is no way we are letting him walk for free if he leaves. Man Id love to be a fly on the wall when they have these discussions after the season! A lot of good options. We already knew we could stack the roster around JJ, but to add top draft capital on top of that?? Sheesh. Or…we keep Sam for a year on the tag, then revisit this again after next year. Or 2-3 year deal…or on the extreme end, trade JJ for top draft capital as well. Which would help us offset the cost of Sam with some top draft picks on rookie contracts. Gonna be interesting! I don’t see JJ getting shipped off, but just throwing out all scenarios. With that said…it’s probably not a zero percent chance that happens 🤷‍♂️. I’d say Playoff success will definitely influence which route they go.

[@robe2504]

@@jaredpribyl Same. So many options. I don't think some Vikes fans appreciate what a potentially franchise changing this moment could be. The Texans turned their franchise around with the 6 picks they got from the Browns for DeShaun. Same with the Lions and Stafford. I remember Kwesi is his first pre-season presser talking about having options and the importance of depth - which was the biggest lesson he had learnt from Kirk going down. I think the tag (and trade) is the least likely option, but even then if Kwesi got an offer from the Titans of their 2025 1st plus Jeffrey Simmons for Sam, man that would make me pause. Gambling on JJ with Ashton Jeanty at RB, and Simmons in the middle of the D Line. Maybe Kwesi could even trade down a few spots from 4 and still get Jeanty! So many possibilities. In the meantime, bring on the 1 seed! I don't know that the Packers soft win over an uncompetitive Saints is the ideal preparation for a tough road game vs the Vikes. I'll take the grinding win over a team fighting for it's playoff life in front of a hostile crowd every time. Skol!

[@mgtow-balance3409]

​@@robe2504 it wasn't a fluke

[@guitarhiker4449]

Definitely agree with what you guys are saying! Don't sleep on the Vike's!!! We are comin!! SKOL!!!!!!

[@Wolves2324]

whoa i did not know the coms went out. wow, love the result

[@hardickmcfondle2956]

Actually the play before the go ahead touchdown when the coms weren't working Sam Darnold scrambled for 8 yard rush out of bound and KOC was right there to tell him the next play call to his face. But the fact Sam had the intelligence to do that is awesome.

[@travdaddy777]

I'm pretty sure the play b4 the go ahead touchdown was when he got destroyed and facemasked, limping around. Only to follow up with that tutty. Complete baller.

[@jimbo92107]

Sam Darnold came to the Vikings halfway fixed. KOC finished the job by helping Darnold stop throwing dumb passes. Now, Darnold is pulling the team forward. He's a great QB, almost where he should have been.

[@robe2504]

Darnold was 4-2 with Steve Wilks at the Panthers, that was after CMC was traded, so he's not necessarily just a one OC trick pony.

[@jiordone8563]

should have been 5-1 and a playoff appearance if not for a horrible game by a Carolina DB who got burned badly on 3 TD passes against Tampa Bay in the final game.

[@MNWILD43]

Fuckin Slinging Sammy!! 3 words.

[@BM-si2ei]

Merica's quarterback

[@Oni1975]

I like what Chris had to say about Sam, but to be perfectly fair, Sam had an unremarkable career until he arrived at Minnesota (San Francisco if you want to count that). I don't think it's completely unfair for people to doubt him; I'm unsure but hoping for the best in the playoffs. The only thing I take exception with is when people say he's trash. That's just unfair. Whatever he was before this season, he's playing like a top-tier quarterback now (and still growing). Give the man his due for what he's doing now, rather than dissing him for what happened in the past.

[@jacksonmillikan749]

The key for the Vikings offense is the rediscovery of the short out pass.

[@billsharich7466]

Who passes accurately on the run like Sam? Crazy!

[@smolove4005]

11 sacks and 2 Pick 6's. AVG4PREZ

[@lukkareborn288]

Wait what?!? He was doing the griddy all last season....so now NFL is saying you can't so the griddy this season?! What's the reasoning on that one?

[@dannydinh3244]

Go back to watch Sammy D playing for USC vs Penn state at the Rose Bowl. That’s him now.

[@wynstonwilliams8208]

I always wait for your takes bro you actually watch the games and know the team 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@lukelee3]

Sam is a big reason the offense is decent. KOC did nothing with mullens, dobbs and hall. Remember that.

[@wynstonwilliams8208]

He got Dobbs 2 wins and Mullins throwing for 400 yards they were losing but could’ve won 3 games they lost

[@SylviaHernandez-j4l]

Deserves more credit ? The PUMPKIN gets more Praise than O' Darnold . Darnold MVP EAT THAT!!!

[@raymondhoagland4976]

🎄💜🤞🍀 !

[@jeffreylucas7941]

There is many QB's in the NFL that can make those throws. I'm extremely happy for Sam.

[@StillKeepOnLosing]

Man... ya need to stop over hyping a medicore vikes team that barely craped by bottom feeders. These aad vikes fans already too sad.

[@travdaddy777]

Lions fans are legit the worst lol your defense is completely cooked. 😂 we are about to take the 1 seed from you guys on your franchises best season ever, during a rebuild.... don't talk about sad, a couple years ago you guys went 0-16... check back after january 5th with an apology and some excuses....

[@StillKeepOnLosing]

@travdaddy777 You'd be foolish to think the defense is cooked. You'd be foolish to think ya can outscore Lions offense too lmfao

[@travdaddy777]

@StillKeepOnLosing vikings will score more than the lions, because the lions will make less stops.... you boys running with a practice squad. Cannot wait for your reality check, seriously. Time to wake up. ⏰️

[@toddaulner5393]

The Lions and Vikings had a very similar schedule.