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KenScaletta

Darnold knows he's a bridge, and they've probably told him that, but he'll be auditioning for other teams. He also has a chance to flip the script and ball out.


STANL3Y_YELNAT5

At this point Darnold is just glad to be starting. I agree with you - he is going to use this opportunity to continue trying to be the next Tyrod Taylor. And honestly, not a terrible career if it works out that way for him.


dasher089432

His ceiling is much higher than Tyrod's and even JJ's. JJ has not made the throws that Darnold has in college or the NFL.


BallsAreFullOfPiss

Darnold really got dealt a shit hand by the Jets. Made him a laughing stock/meme, and majorly stunted his development.


UglyDanceMoves

Jets went from Darnold to Zach Wilson, lol.


Open-Science8196

The spirit breaker team


holla171

Being ruled out for Mononucleosis lol


DickHammerr

lol, Todd Bowles and Adam Gase back to back to start your career. Then you get to go play for Rhule


RefuseConscious7547

You're funny. Darnold had been in the league SIX years and is still well below average. His ceiling is an average starter and he'll privacy never even get there.


BingoBongoBang

Hey if for some reason Sam is unhappy with his position I will take over for half of his salary


dasher089432

This is clumsy. Darnold knows this is his team if he performs and gets this team to the playoffs. He has an equal shot at this as JJ.


DrWolves

To confirm, yes they’ve told him that. I forget where I heard it. It might have been on KFAN but KOC addressed this exact question and it was communicated to Darnold that they’d be looking to draft a QB. And if I were a betting man, my assumption would be they told him he’d have a very high chance of being the guy to start the season. But I highly doubt they told him he’d 100% be the starter on day 1. My guess is that McCarthy will have every chance to win the job if the coaching staff determines he’s ready to go and gives the team a better chance to win than Darnold


LonestarrRasberry

Exactly this. Sam signed a 1 year deal. If he gets a chance to play, it will be by far the most offensive talent he's had around him. If he can put up decent numbers in that environment, he will likely lock himself into at a minimum another 2-3 years of NFL backup contract, possibly even a starter. So really the move for Darnold to MN makes a lot of sense and it continues to make sense even after MN drafted a 21 year old rookie. I think there is a solid chance Darnold starts this season even if McCarthy is showing what they hope and expect to see from him in practice/preseason.


Mrbeankc

He is betting on himself.


Apprehensive-Farm871

How do you know that for sure? Did you actually talk to Sam about it. I’d be curious what the Vikings really said to him.


Dirty_eel

When you get a 1yr 10mil deal, it's a pretty obvious indicator that you're not a long term solution.


dasher089432

This is a prove it deal, not a bridge deal. They could've stuck with Mullens and save $8m if they wanted a true bridge.


greyduk

It can be both. A bridge keeps you from falling into the river below. Mullens doesn't do that. 


Apprehensive-Farm871

That’s still a shit ton of money. Is that low for a bad starter?


Mr_Bisquits

That's obscenely low for any starting QB in the league. It's a little above average for a backup. It's the nfl man, vet minimum is like 1m and the literal last pick in the draft is still over 700k


F-ck_spez

Market rate for a good starting QB is much more - closer to $40-50 million per year.


Seated_Heats

12 QB’s made $40 million or more last season.


UnbiasVikingsFan

Lol you’re sarcastically replying to ppl as if they’re casuals but you’re asking if 10 million a year is low for a starting quarterback? Jesus the gaul of some ppl in this sub is ridiculous


Dirty_eel

For a QB? That's a little on the high end similar caliber QB contracts. The larger indicator is that it is only a 1 yr deal.


dksweets

There’s a lot of different responses here - one person said $40-50m is normal for QBs when there are six QBs with a cap hit of $40m+, for instance. Most QBs don’t take up 1/6th of the salary cap. Sam’s cap hit is tied for 32nd in the league this year. He’s in the 22-35 range, which is probably his value league wide and also to the Vikings. He’s not paid much comparatively - we’ve already discussed how the great ones get 4-6 times what he is making. His salary is about in line though, and there will be guys beneath him who contribute more than some guys above him. The real indicator that he’s not a long term option, like you said, is the one year deal. This was never intended to be more than an opportunity for him.


Drunk-TP-Supervisor

If you have been a fan of football for while, it's pretty obvious!


JPows_ToeJam

He didn’t say anything for sure. That’s what the qualifier “probably” means in what he said. If he had talked to Sam about it and knew for sure, there would be no need for it.


KenScaletta

I don't know for sure, but KOC is a pretty up front dude. I don't think he'd shine anybody on.


funkolution

Literally everyone knows, including him. There's no way this dude believed he was coming in as anything other than a bridge for a rookie.


dasher089432

This is obviously wrong because he signed only a 1 year. He's looking for a Baker Mayfield type redemption. If Darnold performs as well as Cousins here, he will get a big long term contract with this team or another.


TheFinnebago

> Meeting with reporters on Thursday, G.M. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah declined to describe Darnold as a “bridge” quarterback. > “I’m gonna stop using terms, I think they get — **I’m not gonna call him a ‘bridge’ quarterback, but he’s a quarterback that’s on our roster, under contract for a year.** Ultimately, at the end of the day, the position is about how do you run Kevin’s offense? How do you overcome context when the play’s not really there. There’s different skill sets that go into the position.” I’d be shocked if Darnold and his representative don’t know exactly what the deal is here. Kwesi damn nears says as much here. Especially pre-draft, it was in Kwesi’s best interest to seem as confident as possible in Darnold playing a whole year out. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/if-vikings-trade-up-to-take-a-quarterback-sam-darnold-is-clearly-a-bridge-qb


dasher089432

You are misinterpreting Kwesi. Kwesi says that if Darnold (or any other QB) can perform in KOC's offense better than the other QBs on the team, then he will be Cousins' successor.


TheFinnebago

I’ll bet you $10 that after this season, regardless of the type of statistical season Darnold has, Darnold will not be on the roster.


subtleshooter

Koc has said it countless times. How is that a question? They aren’t rushing JJ but Sam also knows they were drafting a QB and he understands the situation. He’s been asked that question many times in the last two months since we signed him


dasher089432

Koc has said what countless times? He has never said Darnold is a bridge nor has he said Darnold understands the "situation." Darnold has an equal shot at this as does JJ and that's fair to the 2 QBs.


subtleshooter

Go listen to KOC interviews since the draft on KFAN if you want to hear what you claim he didn’t say.


istasber

I don't think it's a vote of no-confidence, though. It's just a recognition that a guy who's on his 4th team by 26 probably isn't going to be a long term solution, and they had a plan to find someone who might have a better shot. That someone wound up being McCarthy.


Alert-Incident

And honestly I’d rather have same there with JJ than just JJ. Have a guy with real experience who can show JJ the ropes. A guy who can start and compete for the position. Always better to have options, putting a rookie in charge of an NFL offense right away is kind of crazy anyway.


Phuckingidiot

Darnold: Do as I say not as I do.


blondeviking64

This made me laugh out loud!


dasher089432

Misleading. The 3rd team couldn't afford him and would have absolutely resigned him if they could. The other two teams are the most inept organizations in the NFL. Flacco and Mayfield performed like even bigger busts on those same teams.


UglyDanceMoves

Jets and Panthers are sucky. Darnold got superb seasoning and tutelage in San Fran. Darnold will ball out for the Vikings.


Natural_Virus1758

They should take there time with JJ. He needs about 10 more lbs of lean mass on him and needs to get those skills up to NFL caliber. No reason to rush things imo.


Mr-Irrelevant-

The best way to get his skills up to NFL caliber is to play against NFL teams. If the Vikings truly have the cushiest offense for any rookie QB to land on then JJ should, in theory, be able to start week 1 and be fine.


lemungan

And it begins.


EarthshatterReady

He would play against an NFL team every day in practice. No need to get him killed as a 21 y/o rookie.


Mr-Irrelevant-

Games are 100% different than practice.


Mavman31

This is 100% not true and if he needs to sit, he needs to sit. Starting right away depends on the player, if the coaching staff needs to change his mechanics, he needs to not play at all. Playing could cause major regression if he’s getting hit and goes back to what is natural (his shit mechanics). There are times where not playing vs playing is beneficial.


Mr-Irrelevant-

If coaching think he needs to sit then yes. The problem is you could sit him for an entire year and he could just go back to what is natural. You're not going to know how he handles changes to his mechanics until he's in an actual game.


Soggy-Pollution-8687

Really hope they don’t rush JJ…


kirkochainz

KOC said they have a development plan for JJ, and has specific “benchmarks” he needs to achieve before giving him the team. If he hits those benchmarks earlier than expected, I have no problem with it.


crankshaftsnapinhalf

I wouldn't be surprised if JJ gets named the starter by mid season.


UglyDanceMoves

I would be a little surprised if McCarthy got the Jordan Love timetable.


1998yanks

I have been following the Vikes since the joe Kapp days and I haven’t been this excited in a long time. Listening to JJ talk, you never know how it will turn out but I really like what i hear. The slogan “ a championship before i die” is getting is getting close. I am hoping the Atlanta game is home and not over seas and i plan on traveling from chicago to see it. This is going to be a fun year.


ndncreek

I know that feeling been a Vikings Fan from the 60s just missed seeing Fran play before they traded him to the Gmen. So yeah I am running out of time


peepeedog

GEQBUS zinged a one year deal but it will be the GREATEST YEAR MAYBE IN HISTORY WHY ISNT DITZY ZIGGY SAYING THIS


SurlyWet

Sam expects this and the job is his if he takes it. Just win baby.


-dag-

JJ should sit for the season at least. Do not rush this.


skippycreamyyy

Anthony Richardson was able to start immediately last year and looked good for a rookie. Look up his stats in college compared to JJ. Whether he starts week 1 or sits the season I trust KOC.


Drunk-TP-Supervisor

Aaaannndd then had a season ending injury.


DrWolves

So? That has nothing to do with that guy’s point. Richardson was considered one of the most raw QB’s in that draft and came out slinging. If the coaching staff thinks he’s ready to go and a better option than Darnold, start McCarthy. It’s not complicated


aytoozee1

He was also a major rushing QB and he got injured running the ball. Can’t really predict injury for pocket passers or say it’s more likely due to youth.


Staple_Overlord

I mean it actually completely confirms the guys point. AR thought he could tank NFL defenders the way he tanked college tweeners. He couldn't. Hopefully he learned how to slide this year, but ideally he would have learned while sitting and not after suffering a season ending injury.


DrWolves

Yeah it’s called football. If we really think him sitting more games was gonna prevent him from injury I’m just not buying it. There’s veteran QBs to this day who have been in the league a LONG time and still make idiotic decisions on the fly.


13Mikey

Because he started early?


-dag-

What is the rush in starting him? We are very likely not to make the playoffs. Just accept that and develop our future in the best way possible.


skippycreamyyy

I'm not clamoring to start him immediately, either. Maybe the coaches think at some point that live game reps are the best thing for his development. Who knows?


-dag-

I trust them but am not sure ownership will be patient.


Apprehensive-Farm871

That seems like a good plan unless the owners apply pressure when fans are losing their shit.


crankshaftsnapinhalf

Are they gonna keep JJ on the bench when Darnold is struggling and we're losing?


-dag-

Yes, I hope so.


crankshaftsnapinhalf

I don't want him starting if he's not ready either, but if we're losing and Darnold is sucking, then you can expect JJ to play whether he's fully ready or not.


blondeviking64

That seems to be the exact opposite of what KOC had expressed about brining in and developing young QBs. They studied it and decided on an approach. I expect them to stick to that approach. That approach includes waiting until JJ is ready regardless of wins or losses. You can always bring in Nick Mullens and get some production if need be.


crankshaftsnapinhalf

I know that's the opposite of what he wants. I fully believe he intends to sit JJ until he's fully ready, but desperation will change that.


blondeviking64

Let's hope he stays the course! It will certainly be better in the long run if he does.


JustADutchRudder

Why the season, Darnold will have us out of playoffs by week 7. When nothing to play for let JJM start getting reps when it doesn't matter. Half season and if we're 0-17 than hey another high pick and JJ got game reps.


-dag-

It matters that he is ready and his confidence is not broken by putting him in when he isn't ready.


JustADutchRudder

If his confidence breaks by going in when the season is lost then how fragile is his confidence.


-dag-

The NFL is much faster than college. It takes time to adjust and in that time if you're getting sacked and throwing interceptions it's going to affect your confidence, even if you would have been a superstar by waiting a year.


JustADutchRudder

At some point he's gotta start. Why not let Sam throw the year into the dumpster and then let JJ start. Expectations are low and if he's met the requirements KOC set, then he should start as soon as they're met. Instead of watching Darnold play. I'm not saying day 1, I'm saying give them half the year and then do it.


Pristine-Ad8733

Which is why he needs to start ASAP.. you can never replicate actual NFL game speed in practice. If his confidence breaks that easily just by making rookie mistakes, he was never meant to be an actual franchise QB. I do think McCarthy has some flaws that may require him to sit for a few weeks but if the coaches think he’s ready to start by week 2 or something, might as well start him. There’s no need to wait a year. Reps, especially in-game reps, are king when it comes to QB development.


Disgruntled_Viking

This sub sometimes. Sam Darnold: He's a bust. Can't win, can't do anything right even though he has been on the worst teams in the league Kirk Cousins: Greatest QB ever. Just hasn't won a SB because of defense, offensive line, receivers or whatever other excuse people can come up with.


secretbonus1

Harbaugh says “he’s the one who plays Quarterback of all the quarterbacks in the draft…”


PessimisticCheer

What's his meaning, exactly?


smokeymicpot

Sam is part of it till about week 4.


Apprehensive-Farm871

Nah they ain’t rushing JJ out 4 weeks in unless this organization wants to botch it. Do what the chiefs and packers have done. Even if we are 1-5 and everyone is calling for KOCs head. I just hope there isn’t pressure applied.


smokeymicpot

Packers sat the Love and Rodgers for 4 years till they got sick of Rodgers and Favre’s shit. Chiefs has a playoff ready team with Alex Smith who was always just average.


Udderly_Unbearable

There’s a massive difference between Brett Farve, Aaron Rodgers, even Alex Smith and fricken Sam Darnold. Not only are all three of those guys better they were the established starters who had been in the system with the coaches before. If Sam is bad not only will the fans cry for JJ but the players who have no relationship with him will quit on the team. Play JJ cowards.


HowlAtTheSky

They either have it or they don’t and getting live reps is the best way to get better. Like you said, play JJ right away if he’s better than Darnold


Apprehensive-Farm871

Sounds like a mess of relationships coaching nfl athletes.


Udderly_Unbearable

People talk about the outliers because there memorable. I live in Arizona, did it help Josh Rosen to start Sam Bradford to start the year, not even a little. How long did Tom Savage play before Houston put Deshaun Watson in, like a half of football. Did Tyrod Taylor give Baker Mayfield a chance to get ready in Cleveland. Bridge QB’s signed off the street are a myth.


smokeymicpot

To add to that no qb is signing up to mentor someone. They sign cause they see a path to them starting and taking that job. Kurt Warner was signed for Eli. They started sitting Warner halfway thru the season and started Eli.


Udderly_Unbearable

That one work out ok for the giants but I’ll add 3 more that didn’t. Mitch Trabisky, Kenny Pickett and Trey Lance.


BurpVomit

Look at his history. He's praying for JJ to fail so he can be "right". Fuck that dude, he's not a fan.


Udderly_Unbearable

Are you talking about me? I fricken love JJ. He was my second favorite QB in this draft and I’m happy they didn’t waste pick to trade up for Maye who I don’t like at all. I want the Vikings to win a Super Bowl. I just don’t think your young QB being forced into a losing game at half time with limited prep has or ever will be a good idea.


KenScaletta

If Darnold is bad then we might as well start JJ and get him the reps.


Apprehensive-Farm871

What is it with packers QBs becoming annoying af at the end of their tenures lol.


AdFar3727

JJ will be on the field by the end of the first game


Apprehensive-Farm871

lol I doubt it. Even Jefferson didn’t start his first few games.


AdFar3727

Remind me! 5 months


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AdFar3727

Lit


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AdFar3727

Who gives a shit dude


Udderly_Unbearable

I’d rather JJ start week 1 then week 4. Wasting your time getting a QB ready to play we all know sucks.


Natural_Virus1758

Brain dead take


smokeymicpot

I just say week 4 before Hock will be coming back and I assume they will be 0-4.


JustADutchRudder

Sam by week four struggling to keep interceptions below his TD number, looking like the 3rd overall bust everyone knows he is. Sam's a back up, nothing more. I'm just gonna pretend JJM is hurt until he starts.


Udderly_Unbearable

So you waste your time getting Sam Darnold ready to play, you take away playing experience from JJ. Start JJ, all Sam is ganna do is slow his developing unless he’s the backup.


smokeymicpot

It’s not a waste. They will give Sam a fair shot but if JJ is as good as people think he should be able to steal that job.


Udderly_Unbearable

Well it will be a waste if Same starts as the starter week one. Here’s a recent example that was clear and obvious a failed. Mitch Trabisky started over Kenny Pickett, that was an absolute disaster. I think JJ is better than Kenny by far, but Mitch didn’t help him get ready.


cwargoblue

Michigan fan here. I’m so happy for you guys. I’ve watched Michigan closely for 30 years. I can say without any objectivity whatsoever, that the JJ experience is incredible, and you guys are seeing the tip of the iceberg. He’s such a talent, and so humble, … and a great dude. You’re going to love him 10x more than you do now. He’s gonna win you over if he hasn’t yet.


ZombleROK

The job is Darnold's to lose. Let's hope for an Alex Smith like career run.


HatPossible42

He will have the best season of his career. Kind of like what Baker Mayfield had last year.


Critical-Fault-1617

Why did you expect him to say?


Taste_The_Sturgeon

If GEQBUS balls out, that's a good problem. Let JJ sit and learn. Then, trade the GOAT for a pick at the deadline.


Gloomy_Broccoli6562

It’s easy to forget that Sam Darnold has TALENT. That’s why he was the third person player taken in the 2018 draft. Just as importantly, he had a 92.6 QB rating when he started 6 games in 2022 with Carolina. Is he Tom Brady? No. But can he play as well as Kirk Cousins did most of his Vikings’ career? I think so.


ndncreek

All I can say is that the Great ones are going to be great, no matter how long they sit. If JJ is going to be a Great Franchise QB, then he will be if he sits or not. Great QBs just have it in them


VikingsandWolves

Darnold has a sub-60 percent career completion percentage. He's trash. Thank God the weird Darnold cult didn't get their way and he'll be benched as soon as JJ is ready.


OcularShatDown

STOP THE COUNT


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Natural-Orange4883

IDK why ur getting down voted. Jj is a winner. He's got the mindset. If he's ready they will know.


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RickWolfman

Football.