He’s an overnight success that took seven years to achieve.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has led the team to an unexpected 3-0 start, including victories against two teams that made it to the final eight last year.
He has finally made his mark, showing that some young quarterbacks struggle because of their teams and situations. When their first opportunity doesn’t work out, it can take years to shake off the negative perception.
After Sunday’s 34-7 win over the Texans, I talked to Darnold about this topic. I asked if he thinks young quarterbacks are often dismissed too quickly. He acknowledged that the media has their views.
When I asked for his opinion, he said, “I think, for me, it’s just continuing to take it one day at a time. I’m not gonna sit here and say I feel one way or the other.
I think for me, it’s just about being where my feet are and then being present and understanding the situation that’s in front of me and continuing to go out there and take them one play at a time.”
This mindset is working well for him. He believes the past doesn’t matter, and he’s focused on living in the moment. He feels lucky to finally be in a situation where he can thrive, with good blockers, running backs, receivers, and coaching that support him.
On Sunday, he will play at Lambeau Field against a strong Packers team that also reached the final eight in 2023. After that, he will be on a plane heading across the Atlantic, where he’ll have a chance to prove to the team that hindered his early career that they missed their opportunity with a potential franchise quarterback.
