QB Sam Darnold of the Vikings is receiving a lot of assistance in acclimating to the offense.
Sam Darnold, the quarterback for the Vikings, has the best offensive group around him in his erratic NFL career and has picked up some tips from coach Kevin O’Connell on how to read the play call.
Written by Ben Goessling Star Tribune 6. JUNE 2024 — 8:00 P.M.
At this week’s required minicamp, Vikings QB Sam Darnold passes the ball to running back Aaron Jones during a drill.
Star Tribune, Elizabeth Flores
At this week’s required minicamp, Vikings QB Sam Darnold passes the ball to running back Aaron Jones during a drill.
After agreeing to a four-year, $140 million contract with the Vikings, Justin Jefferson made his way back to Minnesota this week and saw the practice field for the first time this summer. A former third-round draft quarterback who was about to take over what might be the most talented offense of his storied NFL career was waiting for him.
Starting quarterback Sam Darnold is the early favorite to start for Jefferson in his first season without Kirk Cousins. Darnold has been with four different teams in six seasons since the Jets selected him third overall in 2018. J.J. McCarthy, a first-round choice by the Vikings, is still developing slowly. Darnold and Nick Mullens provide them with two experienced quarterbacks while McCarthy gains more experience. At the mandated minicamp for the Vikings this week, Darnold was the one tossing Jefferson the first passes.
“It’s enjoyable; he’s generally approachable,” Darnold remarked on Thursday. “Even in zones, he has a really good feel for settling in zones and all that stuff, so it’s fun to be able to throw to him.”
After Kirkpatrick left for Atlanta in March, the quarterback inked a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings. Should he be successful in the Vikings’ scheme early in the season, he may have the opportunity to start over in his career. Reunited in Minnesota with his Jets instructor Josh McCown, who joined the Vikings as their quarterbacks coach this offseason, he’s implementing an offensive scheme that has some resemblance to the one he studied in San Francisco the previous season. The Vikings will start Aaron Jones in the backfield, Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill at the tackle slots, and tight end T.J. Hockenson at receiver while he may still be recovering from his January ACL surgery at the start of the season.
On Wednesday, Darnold turned 27. He has never been a part of a team that placed higher than 16th in terms of offensive output. This year, he ought to be surrounded by an abundance of experienced skill.
“We’ve got a really good skill group, and obviously a great offensive line to go along with it,” Darnold stated. “So we’re just excited to continue to put good days together.”
Expectations accompany the offensive investments, and since McCarthy is the Vikings’ quarterback of the future, any success Darnold has this season might serve as a springboard for a trade. There’s a risk he won’t get another opportunity as good as this one in Minnesota if he can’t take advantage of his opportunity with the Vikings.
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The quarterback, who was selected as the Jets’ main pick and has since played for three different teams, is attempting to keep his perception of himself out of his mind.
“All the accolades, all that stuff, that’s for other people to judge for me,” he stated. “It’s just about being able to put the ball in play, just kind of being a point guard out there.”
Although the teammates could get together for a throwing session at some point this summer, Darnold stated there is currently no plan in place for him to get together with Jefferson and Addison prior to training camp in late July. He’s spending his free time at home right now studying the Vikings offense.
Taking the same approach Mullens gave to Cousins, he’s written position labels on poker chips he can move around to demonstrate route concepts, and he’s recorded plays as voice memos on his phone that he can repeat to himself. To the dismay of his neighbors, Darnold practices his dropbacks and kicks a football off the ground in his flat.
Darnold responded, “They probably love that.” “I must also remind myself after the initial few [bounces].” “Oh, yeah, there are people who live below me,” I think to myself.
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Tonyan emerging ahead of time
This offseason, tight end Robert Tonyan of the former Lions, Packers, and Bears signed a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Vikings, making Minnesota the last stop on his NFC North tour. Tonyan, who turns 30 in April, only caught 11 catches in Chicago the previous year. He has now gone four years without playing in the NFL since leading all tight ends with 11 touchdowns in 2020.
Tonyan received a lot of practice behind Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt at the team’s minicamp while Hockenson continued to heal from his knee injury. He had a fantastic three days, establishing a rapport with McCarthy and producing a number of outstanding catches in the red zone and along the sideline.
“It’s a tough situation, going from playing 60 snaps a game,” Tonyan stated. But being in this circumstance and being here is a blessing. It’s been really easygoing. The team has been fantastic, and the instructors are fantastic. The change has been really stress-free.”
