NFL Rumors: Vikings Hope Sam Darnold Has ‘Geno Smith-Type Impact’ After McCarthy Pick

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJuly 20, 2024

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The Minnesota Vikings are hoping that quarterback Sam Darnold has a “Geno Smith-type” impact with the team, referencing the Seattle Seahawks veteran quarterback who has enjoyed a career renaissance over the past two years after largely serving as a backup for his first nine seasons.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler appeared on SportsCenter on Saturday and provided a report on the Vikings’ quarterback situation amid the team agreeing to terms on a four-year, fully-guaranteed deal worth $21.85 million with former Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft (conversation begins at 2:35 mark).

“Well he’s getting paid like a starter, McCarthy, but he’s going to have to be lights-out to be the starter Week 1,” Fowler began when Randy Scott asked about how the team would approach the position following McCarthy’s contract.

“The Vikings are really excited about Sam Darnold. They believe there’s untapped potential here. He’s never quite had a supporting cast like this with Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones, so he’s underachieved so far. They’re hoping he can maybe have a Geno Smith-type impact like in Seattle, that second act, right, where you have a good next career arc.

“But McCarthy? They got a plan for him. They’re not gonna rush him out there. But they’re not gonna cap him either. They believe when he’s ready to play, he’ll play.”

Darnold joined the New York Jets after being selected as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Gang Green moved on after three seasons, trading him to the Carolina Panthers. Darnold moved in and out of the starting lineup in Charlotte for two years before moving onto the San Francisco 49ers in free agency in 2023, when he served as Brock Purdy’s backup.

Now he’s essentially the placeholder for McCarthy until the future franchise quarterback is ready. A “Geno Smith-type” impact in the interim would be a massive win for Minnesota, though. Smith earned Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2022 after completing an NFL-high 69.8 percent of his passes for 30 touchdowns an 4,282 yards en route to leading Seattle to the playoffs. He also finished ninth in the NFL MVP voting.

For now, Darnold has been given another chance to showcase the talents that led to him being a highly touted prospect six years ago. By all accounts, he’ll get his first shot on Sept. 8 when the Vikings visit the New York Giants to kick off the regular season.