Sirianni on what Sam Darnold showed him at OTAs
Darnold 'moving the offense' and building 'great rapport' with Justin Jefferson
Sam Darnold is in line to be the Vikings’ starting quarterback in 2023, and it’s hard to deny that he’s not facing a bit of pressure.
Not only is he taking over a team that reached the NFC Divisional Round last season, but he’s also replacing a quarterback some in Minnesota would consider a legend in Kirk Cousins.
For what it’s worth, head coach Kevin O’Connell has expressed confidence in Darnold, even going so far as to say he’s “everything you think” when it comes to being a franchise quarterback.
Based on what O’Connell and other Vikings have said, Darnold has looked impressive in Organized Team Activities (OTAs).
“He’s done a really nice job,” O’Connell said. “You guys have heard me talk about Sam’s arm strength and how he’s able to fit the ball into tight windows with touch. He’s got great mobility. He’s a tough guy. I think he’s also building a great rapport with our offensive line and our skill players as well.”
One of the Vikings wide receivers who has been most impressed with Darnold is Justin Jefferson.
“Sam’s doing an amazing job,” Jefferson said. “He’s moving the offense very well. He’s getting us in the right situations. I’m really liking the rapport we’re building.”
Of course, OTAs and regular-season games are two entirely different things, but if Darnold’s success in OTAs is any indication, Vikings fans can be cautiously optimistic that he can lead the team to success in 2023.
Darnold’s stats can’t be ignored
Even though Darnold has had his fair share of struggles throughout his career, there’s no denying that he has the potential to be a very good quarterback.
In 58 career starts, Darnold has thrown for 10,624 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 52 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 1,041 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Those numbers aren’t anything to scoff at, and they show that Darnold has the talent to be a successful quarterback in the NFL.
Of course, Darnold will need to improve his decision-making, accuracy, and consistency to reach his full potential.
If he can do that, there’s no reason why he can’t be a very good quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings—leading them to a very succesful season.
Why the Colts passed on Darnold
The Colts were one of the teams that were reportedly interested in trading for Darnold this offseason.
However, the Colts ultimately decided to pass on Darnold and instead traded for Matt Ryan.
There are a few possible reasons why the Colts passed on Darnold.
- They may not have been convinced that Darnold was a significant upgrade over Ryan. Ryan is a veteran quarterback with a lot of experience, and he’s coming off a season in which he led the Falcons to the playoffs.
- The Colts may have been concerned about Darnold’s injury history. Darnold has missed several games due to injury in each of the past two seasons.
- The Colts may have simply preferred Ryan to Darnold. Ryan is a more experienced quarterback, and he has a better track record of success.
Whatever the reason, the Colts decided to pass on Darnold, and it will be interesting to see how he performs with the Vikings in 2023.
