The success and progression of young quarterbacks can often have as much to do with the team around them as the player himself. Sam Darnold is the case study for this story, as the current Vikings quarterback and former Jets draft pick is in the midst of a career revival more of us should've seen coming.
Darnold didn't play his best game in London, but the team around him has improved immensely from his days with the Jets. The now 27-year-old Darnold has taken a long path to NFL stardom. He flamed out with the Jets and then Carolina Panthers. A stint with the 49ers and Kyle Shanahan seems to have righted his journey. Now, gifted a third chance with the Vikings and an impressive receiving corps, Darnold is playing like an MVP-caliber passer.
Aaron Rodgers is a future Hall of Famer, but the Jets remain, well, the Jets. At 2-3, they face a number of tough questions about their plans leading up to the NFL trade deadline. Meanwhile, Darnold and the Vikings are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the league, with the other being the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
Jets can't beat former QB Sam Darnold, and social media roasted them for it
In reality, a win over the undefeated Vikings was always a tall task for this Jets team. Rodgers is coming off a season-ending achilles injury and is clearly still working through some kinks. However, losing to Darnold adds some extra sting to such a defeat. With three losses on the early season, it won't get any easier for New York moving forward. Anything less than a postseason appearance will be deemed a failure, and everyone from Robert Saleh to Rodgers knows this.
The Jets could really use a quarterback like Sam Darnold
— JJ Zachariason (@LateRoundQB) October 6, 2024
Geno Smith, drafted by the Jets, sucked, but is now balling out for the Seahawks
— Drink More Water | Get More Sleep 🐬 (@hughart_michael) October 6, 2024
Sam Darnold, drafted by the Jets, sucked, but is now balling out for the Vikings
Aaron Rodgers, a 4x MVP, is now playing for the Jets and is having the worst season of his career
The irony of the Jets cutting Sam Darnold loose only to have Aaron Rodgers play like Zach Wilson against him is amazing
— Anthony Amico (@amicsta) October 6, 2024
Sam Darnold beating the Jets with Aaron Rodgers is objectively hilarious
— Lee Sharpe (@LeeSharpeNFL) October 6, 2024
Zach Wilson got to watch this Jets team be trash and enjoy it last week.
— Sdot23BK (@PoemzOfTheHeart) October 6, 2024
This week it’s Sam Darnold’s chance to get some revenge on his former team that gave up on him and did nothing to help him.
Do the Jets play the Seahawks so Geno Smith can get some too!
Ironically enough, Darnold regressed back to his old self against his former team. He completed less than 50 percent of his passes and threw an interception as compared to no toughdown passes. That's not a great stat line.
Nonetheless, the point remains the same. Darnold is better off without the pressure of performing in the New York metro area. The Jets have some work to do.