Sam Darnold has enjoyed a career resurgence in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings.
Sunday’s version of Sam Darnold looked a lot like the player who failed in multiple NFL stops after being selected No. 3 overall in the 2018 draft.
Darnold threw three interceptions through the first three quarters against the Jacksonville Jaguars, two of which came on passes to the end zone.
Darnold’s first interception came when the Jaguars had a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. He threw a first-down pass in Jaguars territory to Justin Jefferson, who was covered by cornerback Tyson Campbell. Campbell broke up the pass and linebacker Foyesade Oluokun picked him off the deflection.
The turnover ended a drive that had already progressed into field goal range.
Darnold’s second interception thwarted a potential touchdown drive. With Jacksonville leading 7-3 in the second quarter, Darnold watched Jefferson in the end zone on second-and-goal at the 7-yard line. Instead, he found Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown.
Darnold’s failed pass had no chance. He made the mistake with enough time and no pressure in the pocket.
Darnold’s third interception looked a lot like his second. This time, Darnold again looked at Jefferson on a pass toward the end zone on third-and-3 from the Jacksonville 17-yard line. Safety Darnell Savage had deep coverage and jumped the route. He picked off the ball at the goal line, killing another Vikings scoring drive.
The mistakes were well known to fans who saw Darnold during his time as a starter with the New York Jets team that drafted him and then with the Carolina Panthers. Darnold by double-digit interceptions in each of his first four NFL seasons.
The Jets traded Darnold to the Panthers in 2021 after he averaged 13 interceptions per season and completed just 59.8% of his passes in three seasons in New York. He looked very much like the same player in a season-plus as Carolina’s starter while throwing 16 interceptions and completing 59.5% of his passes in 19 appearances with the Panthers.
After spending 2023 as a backup for the 49ers, Darnold joined the Vikings this offseason and was expected to back up first-round rookie JJ McCarthy. An injury to McCarthy opened up the opportunity for Darnold to start again, and he has largely thrived in head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips’ offense this season.
Playing behind a strong offensive line alongside weapons like Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Aaron Jones has also raised Darnold’s profile. In eight starts before Sunday, Darnold completed 69.5% of his passes with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions for a 6-2 Vikings team that is in prime position to contend for the playoffs.
But Sunday’s Darnold looked a lot like the Darnold of old. He was able to move the ball with considerable success, but ruined several drives with avoidable mistakes. And a Jaguars that entered the day with two interceptions all season more than doubled that number midway through the third quarter.
