Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings had to go with veteran journeyman Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback, with rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy suffering a season-ending injury during the preseason.
Although Darnold getting the nod as the starter to start the season seemed to be a step in the wrong direction for the Vikings, the former first-round draft pick has been a breath of fresh air for Minnesota, leading the team to 11 wins in 13 games, with one of his best performances coming on Sunday against Kirk Cousins and the visiting Atlanta Falcons.
As if there wasn’t enough pressure coming into his game against the quarterback he replaced, Darnold wasn’t fazed for a second as he threw five touchdowns against the Falcons and completely outplayed Cousins from start to finish.
In the end, Darnold’s play, resulting in five touchdown catches combined for star receivers Justin Jefferson (2) and Jordan Addison (3), proved to be more than enough to take care of the Falcons, and it has got some fans buzzing about the veteran quarterback needing to be in the NFL MVP conversation.
I’m sorry but Sam Darnold not being in the MVP conversation at this point is genuinely laughable pic.twitter.com/jtTWkNNxAE
— Jason Harmon (@_jason_777) December 8, 2024
Time to put Sam Darnold in the MVP conversation, NFL world.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 8, 2024
How close are we to Sam Darnold entering the MVP conversation?
— Sam Monson (@SamMonsonNFL) December 8, 2024
Sam Darnold just stood up on the bench and was going nuts. Crowd is chanting MVP. Justin Jefferson smiling bright on the screen. What a world
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) December 8, 2024
Following the win over the Falcons, the 11th win of the season for the Vikings, Darnold has thrown for 2,952 yards, 23 touchdowns (fifth in the NFL) and 10 interceptions.
Darnold has already thrown for four more touchdowns than he ever has in a season, with Minnesota having four games left to be played against the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
NEXT: Insider Reveals Surprising Update About Sam Darnold’s Future