Sam

[IIsweet]

https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-know-s ... ree-agency

Sam Darnold has positioned himself to be the most highly pursued quarterback in free agency in 2025.

The Vikings have surpassed every expectation this season, with Darnold displaying in Year 7 all those dominant traits that once made him a top-three draft selection. Rarely rattled by pressure, Darnold has thrived in Kevin O'Connell's scheme, able to splash big plays and find easy outlets when necessary.

The Vikings know that Darnold has played so well he's likely to be a one-and-done in Minnesota.

"We all know that Sam is gonna be a sought-after type of guy from wherever that may be," offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Tuesday, via the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "Whatever his future ends up being, I know all of us in this building are gonna be happy for him, no matter where that ends up being. I don't think he has to worry about that anymore.

"The worry might've been, OK, this might be my opportunity to play. He's past all that. He's proven the doubters, and he's proven that he can play in this league."

Darnold has already smashed his career-high in passing touchdowns (28) and is on pace for career-bests in passer rating (108.1), completion percentage (68.4), passing yards per game (253. and TD-INT ratio (28-10) -- each of those figures ranks in the top eight among qualifying QBs in 2024.


The 27-year-old leads the NFL with 11 games with a 100-plus passer rating -- the fourth player (fifth instance) since 1950 to have a 100-plus passer rating in at least 11 of his team's first 13 games of a season. Three of the previous five instances won AP NFL MVP in that season.

In his early years in New York and Carolina, Darnold would wither amid pressure. Now, he's found answers. Whether it's getting the ball out quickly under O'Connell's guidance or, like Sunday, escaping pressure to find a big play to Justin Jefferson, he's improved leaps and bounds in that area. Darnold has two pass TDs and zero INTs in each of his last two games when under pressure, per Next Gen Stats -- 130.3 passer rating under pressure in Week 13 and 141.4 in Week 14. He had only an 80.1 passer rating under pressure in Weeks 1-12.

It hasn't always been pretty, with 18 turnover-worthy plays, per Pro Football Focus, but Darnold's stabilizing ability has the Vikings poised to make a postseason run.

"If every single day I'm telling them, 'Hey, let's just focus on today, don't worry about it,' then it becomes maybe I should focus on more than just today," O'Connell said earlier this week. "That's how I would handle it if I was him. I just can't say enough about how Sam's handled himself, thinking back to the different kind of moments throughout his journey this year and how he's maximized every single one coming out of what's been a very successful season, chasing improvement."

Darnold's improvement is about to get him paid.

Assuming the Vikings don't squat on him with the franchise tag to ensure J.J. McCarthy is fully healthy heading into 2025, Darnold should price himself out of Minnesota. He'll be the No. 1 QB on every free agent board. The once mono-maligned quarterback has earned it.

[IIsweet]

I think that the best Vikings option is to franchise him and then trade him. He will be highly sought after and with us having limited draft picks, it is a win win for us and Darnold.
Someone will throw us some picks and we can do right by Sam and trade him to whoever he wants as long as both franchises agree on trade compensation. He goes out with his agent and gets a deal knowing that he will need to be traded for.
New Orleans would be extremely appealing. Better weather, playing in a dome, weak conference, and tools like Olave, Shaheed, and Kamara.
It also may be a situation with new HC in Wes Phillips and him bringing Darnold type of signing.

[Cliff]

I think that the best Vikings option is to franchise him and then trade him. He will be highly sought after and with us having limited draft picks, it is a win win for us and Darnold.
Someone will throw us some picks and we can do right by Sam and trade him to whoever he wants as long as both franchises agree on trade compensation. He goes out with his agent and gets a deal knowing that he will need to be traded for.
New Orleans would be extremely appealing. Better weather, playing in a dome, weak conference, and tools like Olave, Shaheed, and Kamara.
It also may be a situation with new HC in Wes Phillips and him bringing Darnold type of signing.

I think the number of teams interested in Darnold won't be very high despite him playing well for the VIkings. He's doing well with arguably the best WR/TE combo in the NFL but which other teams need a QB and are in that situation? They've seen what he can do if you try to stick him onto a team that doesn't have those tools. He looks pretty terrible in those situations. To be fair, most QBs do. The Saints already have Carr under contract, are they willing to throw another huge contract at Sam?

I think he ends up back with the Vikings unless he completely falls apart in the playoffs. That's the only stipulation. If he keeps up his current level of play the Vikings will be trying hard to keep him. They were trying hard to keep Cousins but they just couldn't agree on how long of a contract. The money was there. If they were willing to pay Cousins 45m/yr after how he looked in the playoffs, you've got to think they'll hang on to Darnold for at least a similar amount.

If the Vikings goal is to have a top QB, and Darnold already knows the team and has a good relationship with the players, why hope someone else can do it when you know Darnold can? He's 3rd in passer rating, 6th in yards, 7th in completion percentage, 4th in yards per attempt, 3rd in TDs. Etc., etc.

JJ has so many question marks right now. Will he be ready to go next season coming off of two knee surgeries? Will he end up needing any more procedures? If he is ready to go, can he stay healthy? If he stays healthy, will he run the offense as well as Darnold? He hasn't played a single snap in an NFL regular season game.

I'd like to see them sign Darnold to a 3 or 4 year deal and trade him if/when JJ can prove he's ready. Not just assume he's only needed for one more season and then JJ can take over. That's not a given. Or even trade JJ if they decide to stick with Darnold. The guy is only 27, he could legitimately be the franchise QB for the next 8 years.

[halfgiz]

I think we have to let the season play out to see what will be done with Sam.
There is probably a few options. I’m sure Jones and Sam have already compared notes on the New York teams.
They will figure out how to sign Sam if they want to. Only thing that remains is what kind of offers he gets.
I think a likely option will be to go with JJ and Danny Dimes. And let Darnold go get a pay day.
In the back of my mind when is Stratford going to retire? Rams would be a good landing spot for Sam.
Hopefully Sam keeps it up down the stretch!

[CharVike]

I think that the best Vikings option is to franchise him and then trade him. He will be highly sought after and with us having limited draft picks, it is a win win for us and Darnold.
Someone will throw us some picks and we can do right by Sam and trade him to whoever he wants as long as both franchises agree on trade compensation. He goes out with his agent and gets a deal knowing that he will need to be traded for.
New Orleans would be extremely appealing. Better weather, playing in a dome, weak conference, and tools like Olave, Shaheed, and Kamara.
It also may be a situation with new HC in Wes Phillips and him bringing Darnold type of signing.

That is interesting.

[Cliff]

I think we have to let the season play out to see what will be done with Sam.
There is probably a few options. I’m sure Jones and Sam have already compared notes on the New York teams.
They will figure out how to sign Sam if they want to. Only thing that remains is what kind of offers he gets.
I think a likely option will be to go with JJ and Danny Dimes. And let Darnold go get a pay day.
In the back of my mind when is Stratford going to retire? Rams would be a good landing spot for Sam.
Hopefully Sam keeps it up down the stretch!

It definitely depends on how the season plays out and how much other teams are willing to pay Darnold. I don't think the Vikings will meet a team that "makes him an offer he can't refuse", I just don't think that team is really out there. I could definitely be wrong about that.

I think the Vikings would love to have Darnold, JJ, and Jones all signed since JJ is in his rookie deal and Jones shouldn't cost much. This is a coaching staff that knows what it feels like to lose your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd string QBs and how important depth is at the position.

[VikingLord]

Honestly, Darnold hasn't really done anything yet. Yes, he's had a great year compared to what he's done since entering the league, and he's a top 10 starting QB this year by most metrics. But in my view, the QBs worth paying are the ones who perform when the chips are down, especially in the playoffs. That's the main reason I thought Cousins was so overpaid. He put up the stats, sure, and was capable of making some big plays to win games. But when the chips were down, when the team needed a certain play to either make the playoffs or move on in the playoffs, Cousins consistently folded. He checked down. He took a bad sack. He just seemed to fade when the lights were brightest.

Darnold, at least this year, has played out of his mind when the Vikings needed him the most. That I love to see, and if he keeps doing that, I think this team has a real chance to go far this year. I really do.

What concerns me about Darnold to this point is that he doesn't play that way for entire games. There are long stretches of games where he holds the ball way too long, has no rhythm as a passer, takes bad sacks, and makes some questionable throws. I'm sure not all of that is on him, and he's clearly capable of playing at a higher level when the team needs him to, but he had like what, 75 yards passing in the first half against the Falcons? Or was it the Cardinals?

Bottom line for me is, Darnold needs to show he can perform at that high level for entire games even when the pressure isn't necessarily on. If he can do that, and if in doing it the team advances in the playoffs, then I think we start talking about the franchise tag and longer-term plans. Otherwise, I'm afraid Darnold is just a different type of Josh Dobbs or Case Keenum - a guy who managed to play at a level few expected and which, when compared to their prior level of play and expectation, got people excited, but who also ultimately faded back to their prior baseline.

We know what Darnold's baseline has been to this point, so I want to see him prove he has truly evolved to a new baseline before I'd be behind a major commitment to him going forward.

[CharVike]

Honestly, Darnold hasn't really done anything yet. Yes, he's had a great year compared to what he's done since entering the league, and he's a top 10 starting QB this year by most metrics. But in my view, the QBs worth paying are the ones who perform when the chips are down, especially in the playoffs. That's the main reason I thought Cousins was so overpaid. He put up the stats, sure, and was capable of making some big plays to win games. But when the chips were down, when the team needed a certain play to either make the playoffs or move on in the playoffs, Cousins consistently folded. He checked down. He took a bad sack. He just seemed to fade when the lights were brightest.

Darnold, at least this year, has played out of his mind when the Vikings needed him the most. That I love to see, and if he keeps doing that, I think this team has a real chance to go far this year. I really do.

What concerns me about Darnold to this point is that he doesn't play that way for entire games. There are long stretches of games where he holds the ball way too long, has no rhythm as a passer, takes bad sacks, and makes some questionable throws. I'm sure not all of that is on him, and he's clearly capable of playing at a higher level when the team needs him to, but he had like what, 75 yards passing in the first half against the Falcons? Or was it the Cardinals?

Bottom line for me is, Darnold needs to show he can perform at that high level for entire games even when the pressure isn't necessarily on. If he can do that, and if in doing it the team advances in the playoffs, then I think we start talking about the franchise tag and longer-term plans. Otherwise, I'm afraid Darnold is just a different type of Josh Dobbs or Case Keenum - a guy who managed to play at a level few expected and which, when compared to their prior level of play and expectation, got people excited, but who also ultimately faded back to their prior baseline.

We know what Darnold's baseline has been to this point, so I want to see him prove he has truly evolved to a new baseline before I'd be behind a major commitment to him going forward.

The highlighted text is what I agree with. I also agree with the tag deal. Darnold has great physical tools. He has the entire package. I also like that he pulled himself out of the down period he had. Most if not all go through stretches or games when it's not working. Even Goff threw 5 picks in a game this year and he's had games when he didn't miss many passes at all. I wasn't to excited about Darnold because he was labeled a bust. But he seems to be fitting in great with our team. I didn't think we would ever win this many games this year. It's not all fluke wins either.

[J. Kapp 11]

Re-sign Darnold.

Trade McCarthy to Cleveland for what will be a top-10 pick.

Why would the Browns do that? Two words. Deshaun Watson.

They’re going to have to cut him. There’s no way anybody in that locker room trusts him. But his dead cap hit would be astronomical. How can they have competent QB play, or at least the chance for it, at a price they can afford? Get one on a rookie scale.

Why wouldn’t they just draft one? Well, look at the QBs in this year’s draft. Basically you’ve got Sanders, Ward and a bunch of Christian Ponders. Not only that, Cleveland likely won’t be drafting high enough to get one of the top two, AND McCarthy is likely better than either Sanders or Ward. I think they’d be motivated to trade.

Sam Darnold loves playing for the Vikings. The Vikings love him. So do the fans. Yes, he’s a reclamation project, but he’s OUR reclamation project. He’s only 27. He’s earned a shot to be our franchise quarterback. Offer him some security at a slightly elevated Baker Mayfield type level and see if he bites.

Pull this off, and you turn a very short Vikings draft into a draft with two first-round picks, including one in the top-10. And you turn a guy you drafted 10th into a likely top-7 pick.

Sorry to kick you while you’re down, Cleveland, but your conundrum is our gain.

P.S. If you’re wondering why I’m so willing to part with McCarthy, there are two reasons. 1. I have no emotional attachment to him. The guy hasn’t played a down. 2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We have no idea what McCarthy is. Sam Darnold is a known. Is his success tied to Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson, McCown and especially O’Connell? Of course. But who cares? It’s success, and none of those guys are going anywhere.

[VikingLord]

Sam Darnold loves playing for the Vikings. The Vikings love him. So do the fans. Yes, he’s a reclamation project, but he’s OUR reclamation project. He’s only 27. He’s earned a shot to be our franchise quarterback. Offer him some security at a slightly elevated Baker Mayfield type level and see if he bites.

Are we sure Darnold has turned the corner on his career? There are plenty of examples around the league of QBs who appeared to suddenly flip a switch on what up to that point had been notably underwhelming careers only to revert back to the mean fairly quickly. Examples are guys like Case Keenum who came out of nowhere to have a banner year with the Vikings in 2017 only to quickly fade back. Or there is Nick Foles who won a Superbowl with the Eagles before he returned to what he had been up to that point in his career. Heck, even Daniel Jones found a way to play well enough to get the Giants to extend him before he went back to mediocrity.

I want to see what Sam Darnold can do when the lights are brightest and the pressure is on. The next 3 games are huge for the Vikings in terms of playoff seeding, and then there will be the playoffs themselves. I need to see how Darnold plays in these situations before I'd be comfortable with the Vikings shipping McCarthy. It's true we don't have any data on McCarthy, but as I see it that is as good a reason to not trade him for another rookie as it is to trade him, unless there is a guy in the upcoming draft you think is worth that kind of a move.

[J. Kapp 11]

Sam Darnold loves playing for the Vikings. The Vikings love him. So do the fans. Yes, he’s a reclamation project, but he’s OUR reclamation project. He’s only 27. He’s earned a shot to be our franchise quarterback. Offer him some security at a slightly elevated Baker Mayfield type level and see if he bites.

Are we sure Darnold has turned the corner on his career? There are plenty of examples around the league of QBs who appeared to suddenly flip a switch on what up to that point had been notably underwhelming careers only to revert back to the mean fairly quickly. Examples are guys like Case Keenum who came out of nowhere to have a banner year with the Vikings in 2017 only to quickly fade back. Or there is Nick Foles who won a Superbowl with the Eagles before he returned to what he had been up to that point in his career. Heck, even Daniel Jones found a way to play well enough to get the Giants to extend him before he went back to mediocrity.

I want to see what Sam Darnold can do when the lights are brightest and the pressure is on. The next 3 games are huge for the Vikings in terms of playoff seeding, and then there will be the playoffs themselves. I need to see how Darnold plays in these situations before I'd be comfortable with the Vikings shipping McCarthy. It's true we don't have any data on McCarthy, but as I see it that is as good a reason to not trade him for another rookie as it is to trade him, unless there is a guy in the upcoming draft you think is worth that kind of a move.

I, for one, refuse to put Sam Darnold in any comparison with Case Keenum or Nick Foles. Neither of those guys were the No. 3 pick in the draft. Neither have an arm or athleticism in the same stratosphere as Sam Darnold. Neither had Kevin O’Connell as a coach, or Justin Jefferson running routes.

A better comparison would be with Baker Mayfield, the guy taken two picks before Darnold in 2018. Baker revived his career in large part because of two months in Los Angeles with Sean McVay. Now he’s not only a franchise quarterback, but he’s also one of the best in the league. Not at the top elite level, but right below it. What could Sam Darnold do with two YEARS under Kevin O’Connell?

And if Darnold accepts a Baker-type contract — Spotrac estimates him at 4 years, $140 million, or $35 million a year — I do that in a heartbeat. That is cheap for a quarterback who’s had the kind of season Darnold has had, playoffs or no.

Speaking of playoffs, what’s it going to take for you to say he’s proven himself? A playoff win? Two playoff wins? Do you realize that the Minnesota Vikings haven’t had two playoff wins in the same season since 1987? Seriously, it feels like you’re asking Sam Darnold to do what Brett Favre couldn’t do. What Daunte Culpepper couldn’t do. Randall Cunningham. Warren Moon. Guys a helluva lot better than Case Keenum.

Kevin O’Connell saw in Sam Darnold what the media and many fans — you included? — refuse to see. That the guy can play. Hell, I admit that I didn’t see it. But I can say now, at $35 million a year, I’m happy to give up a guy I literally know nothing about in JJ McCarthy, for a guy I believe can be perennially a top-10 QB in this league.

Your mileage may vary, but I’m sold.

[CharVike]

Are we sure Darnold has turned the corner on his career? There are plenty of examples around the league of QBs who appeared to suddenly flip a switch on what up to that point had been notably underwhelming careers only to revert back to the mean fairly quickly. Examples are guys like Case Keenum who came out of nowhere to have a banner year with the Vikings in 2017 only to quickly fade back. Or there is Nick Foles who won a Superbowl with the Eagles before he returned to what he had been up to that point in his career. Heck, even Daniel Jones found a way to play well enough to get the Giants to extend him before he went back to mediocrity.

I want to see what Sam Darnold can do when the lights are brightest and the pressure is on. The next 3 games are huge for the Vikings in terms of playoff seeding, and then there will be the playoffs themselves. I need to see how Darnold plays in these situations before I'd be comfortable with the Vikings shipping McCarthy. It's true we don't have any data on McCarthy, but as I see it that is as good a reason to not trade him for another rookie as it is to trade him, unless there is a guy in the upcoming draft you think is worth that kind of a move.

I, for one, refuse to put Sam Darnold in any comparison with Case Keenum or Nick Foles. Neither of those guys were the No. 3 pick in the draft. Neither have an arm or athleticism in the same stratosphere as Sam Darnold. Neither had Kevin O’Connell as a coach, or Justin Jefferson running routes.

A better comparison would be with Baker Mayfield, the guy taken two picks before Darnold in 2018. Baker revived his career in large part because of two months in Los Angeles with Sean McVay. Now he’s not only a franchise quarterback, but he’s also one of the best in the league. Not at the top elite level, but right below it. What could Sam Darnold do with two YEARS under Kevin O’Connell?

And if Darnold accepts a Baker-type contract — Spotrac estimates him at 4 years, $140 million, or $35 million a year — I do that in a heartbeat. That is cheap for a quarterback who’s had the kind of season Darnold has had, playoffs or no.

Speaking of playoffs, what’s it going to take for you to say he’s proven himself? A playoff win? Two playoff wins? Do you realize that the Minnesota Vikings haven’t had two playoff wins in the same season since 1987? Seriously, it feels like you’re asking Sam Darnold to do what Brett Favre couldn’t do. What Daunte Culpepper couldn’t do. Randall Cunningham. Warren Moon. Guys a helluva lot better than Case Keenum.

Kevin O’Connell saw in Sam Darnold what the media and many fans — you included? — refuse to see. That the guy can play. Hell, I admit that I didn’t see it. But I can say now, at $35 million a year, I’m happy to give up a guy I literally know nothing about in JJ McCarthy, for a guy I believe can be perennially a top-10 QB in this league.

Your mileage may vary, but I’m sold.

I never would have thought that was the last year for 2 playoff wins in a season. Saints and 49ers. Our GM and HC are entering the last year of their contracts. I can't see them doing a start over again in year 4. IMO if we don't make the Super Bowl within that original 4 year deal it won't happen.

[Cliff]

Re-sign Darnold.

Trade McCarthy to Cleveland for what will be a top-10 pick.

Why would the Browns do that? Two words. Deshaun Watson.

They’re going to have to cut him. There’s no way anybody in that locker room trusts him. But his dead cap hit would be astronomical. How can they have competent QB play, or at least the chance for it, at a price they can afford? Get one on a rookie scale.

Why wouldn’t they just draft one? Well, look at the QBs in this year’s draft. Basically you’ve got Sanders, Ward and a bunch of Christian Ponders. Not only that, Cleveland likely won’t be drafting high enough to get one of the top two, AND McCarthy is likely better than either Sanders or Ward. I think they’d be motivated to trade.

Sam Darnold loves playing for the Vikings. The Vikings love him. So do the fans. Yes, he’s a reclamation project, but he’s OUR reclamation project. He’s only 27. He’s earned a shot to be our franchise quarterback. Offer him some security at a slightly elevated Baker Mayfield type level and see if he bites.

Pull this off, and you turn a very short Vikings draft into a draft with two first-round picks, including one in the top-10. And you turn a guy you drafted 10th into a likely top-7 pick.

Sorry to kick you while you’re down, Cleveland, but your conundrum is our gain.

P.S. If you’re wondering why I’m so willing to part with McCarthy, there are two reasons. 1. I have no emotional attachment to him. The guy hasn’t played a down. 2. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. We have no idea what McCarthy is. Sam Darnold is a known. Is his success tied to Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson, McCown and especially O’Connell? Of course. But who cares? It’s success, and none of those guys are going anywhere.

I wouldn't be upset with this but I don't see it happening. If KOC has his way I think we'll see Darnold, McCarthy, and Daniels all on the roster. I think losing all 3 QBs for a while in 2023 left a bad taste in his mouth. They've got enough cap space to sign Darnold to the contract you mentioned above, retain the players they want to keep, and go out into FA to upgrade certain spots. They've only got a 1st and two 5th rounders in the draft so maybe they try for that trade, but they've been a lot better at picking up free agents than they have drafting so far anyway.

[Cliff]

Sam Darnold loves playing for the Vikings. The Vikings love him. So do the fans. Yes, he’s a reclamation project, but he’s OUR reclamation project. He’s only 27. He’s earned a shot to be our franchise quarterback. Offer him some security at a slightly elevated Baker Mayfield type level and see if he bites.

Are we sure Darnold has turned the corner on his career? There are plenty of examples around the league of QBs who appeared to suddenly flip a switch on what up to that point had been notably underwhelming careers only to revert back to the mean fairly quickly. Examples are guys like Case Keenum who came out of nowhere to have a banner year with the Vikings in 2017 only to quickly fade back. Or there is Nick Foles who won a Superbowl with the Eagles before he returned to what he had been up to that point in his career. Heck, even Daniel Jones found a way to play well enough to get the Giants to extend him before he went back to mediocrity.

I want to see what Sam Darnold can do when the lights are brightest and the pressure is on. The next 3 games are huge for the Vikings in terms of playoff seeding, and then there will be the playoffs themselves. I need to see how Darnold plays in these situations before I'd be comfortable with the Vikings shipping McCarthy. It's true we don't have any data on McCarthy, but as I see it that is as good a reason to not trade him for another rookie as it is to trade him, unless there is a guy in the upcoming draft you think is worth that kind of a move.

I'm not sure Darnold was ever as bad as he seemed. We've talked about how he has never had anything close to the weapons he has in Minnesota since he was picked up. But the level to which that statement is true seems to be overlooked. We're talking about the difference between a pointy stick and a grenade launcher.

I think if Patrick Mahomes had been drafted by the Jets team Darnold was, and then subsequently put onto that horrible Panthers team, we'd be talking about how bad a of QB he is.

[J. Kapp 11]

Are we sure Darnold has turned the corner on his career? There are plenty of examples around the league of QBs who appeared to suddenly flip a switch on what up to that point had been notably underwhelming careers only to revert back to the mean fairly quickly. Examples are guys like Case Keenum who came out of nowhere to have a banner year with the Vikings in 2017 only to quickly fade back. Or there is Nick Foles who won a Superbowl with the Eagles before he returned to what he had been up to that point in his career. Heck, even Daniel Jones found a way to play well enough to get the Giants to extend him before he went back to mediocrity.

I want to see what Sam Darnold can do when the lights are brightest and the pressure is on. The next 3 games are huge for the Vikings in terms of playoff seeding, and then there will be the playoffs themselves. I need to see how Darnold plays in these situations before I'd be comfortable with the Vikings shipping McCarthy. It's true we don't have any data on McCarthy, but as I see it that is as good a reason to not trade him for another rookie as it is to trade him, unless there is a guy in the upcoming draft you think is worth that kind of a move.

I'm not sure Darnold was ever as bad as he seemed. We've talked about how he has never had anything close to the weapons he has in Minnesota since he was picked up. But the level to which that statement is true seems to be overlooked. We're talking about the difference between a pointy stick and a grenade launcher.

I think if Patrick Mahomes had been drafted by the Jets team Darnold was, and then subsequently put onto that horrible Panthers team, we'd be talking about how bad a of QB he is.

Just read a long article in The Athletic about the absolute ineptitude and meddling nature of Jets owner Woody Johnson, and how much of an adverse effect it has had throughout the organization. This is a guy who routinely consults his teenage sons for advice on players to acquire or not acquire, based primarily on Madden ratings. That’s only the tip of the iceberg for the crap Johnson routinely pulls.

Is it any wonder that Darnold flopped there? My gosh, even Aaron Rodgers looks lost there — and in a perpetual state of disgust.

As Bill Belichick says, “The only team that hasn’t loved Sam Darnold is the Jets.”

Totally agree with you, Cliff. I don’t think Darnold was ever as bad as he’s made out to be.