The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their 2024 regular season on Sunday against the New York Giants . The biggest question from those outside of the organization was how Sam Darnold would play. His teammates believed in him , and rookie J.J. McCarthy sure seems to love him.
Minnesota Vikings rookie J.J. McCarthy knows Sam Darnold was cooking
Of course it’s disappointing for Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings that J.J. McCarthy is out for the season. That doesn’t mean he can’t support his teammates from wherever he is. Although not travelling with the team, McCarthy took to Instagram in support of Sam Darnold.
Darnold came out of the gate strong for the Vikings and put together a near-perfect first half. He finished going 19-of-24 with 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His interception was the result of a defender contacting his arm on the way forward. To put it as McCarthy did, Darnold was cooking with fire.
Kevin O’Connell certainly believes in his new signal caller, but a performance like the one against New York on Sunday only substantiates that. The Vikings need Darnold to perform with McCarthy on ice all year. The Giants presented a soft landing spot, and Darnold took advantage of it in every way possible.
That type of performance is certainly one McCarthy would love to replicate a year from now.
What does Sam Darnold’s encore look like for Minnesota Vikings?
Sam Darnold knocking off the New York Giants is one thing. What he does against the San Francisco 49ers at home on Sunday could become the launching point for his season. The 49ers head to Minnesota on a short week, but they definitely provide a much more substantial test.
Minnesota enters the contest as six point underdogs at home. They knocked off Kyle Shanahan’s team at home last year during Week 7. Darnold was a quarterback on that team and should have a level of knowledge as to how they will attack him. O’Connell is tasked with putting his quarterback in ideal situations, and execution will be an integral focal point.
I(f the Vikings can shock the 49ers, the expectations for their season will be changed drastically. There has not been much national belief in Minnesota this offseason, but all of that is rooted in a disbelief of Darnold. Should this be the version that the Vikings employ, everything changes.
