Former Teammate Excited to Face Improved Sam Darnold

Florham Park, NJ July 19, 2023 — Defensive lineman, Quinnen Williams being interviewed as players arrived today to participate in the NY Jets 2023 Training Camp at their practice facility in Florham Park, NJ. © Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The stage is set, and the venue is Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. It’s Vikings vs. Jets, and one man is the center of attention—the Vikings quarterback. One former teammate is excited to take on the improved Sam Darnold and relishes the challenge of slowing down his redemption story.

Former Teammate Excited to Face Improved Sam Darnold

That man is defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, one of the few holdovers from Darnold’s time with the Jets. Williams was drafted by the Jets third overall, one year after Darnold was drafted in the same position. The pair played together for two seasons before Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021. Williams, who has become one of the best defensive linemen in the league – with an overall grade from Pro Football Focus over 90 in the last two seasons – had nothing but good things to say about his former teammate.

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“I think he’s doing a great job,” Williams said Monday via the New York Post. “He’s playing out of his mind right now, he’s balling right now, he’s doing a lot of great things. I was here with him for a couple of years. Super excited to go against him, it’s gonna be a great challenge.”

Williams will line up straight in front of Darnold on Sunday, and the Vikings offensive line will have their hands full, keeping the first-team All-Pro at bay. The Vikings’ interior offensive line has historically struggled against the league’s best defensive linemen. However, they have already dealt with Dexter Lawrence and Kenny Clark this season sufficiently for the Vikings to win the game.

Redemption Game

This won’t be the first time Darnold faces his old team; in fact, after being traded to the Panthers, his first game for Carolina was against his old team. Darnold led his new team to a 19-14 victory. Current Jets head coach Robert Salah was new to the job when the decision to trade Darnold and draft a new QB was made. The Jets drafted Zach Wilson second overall in 2021. His Jets career also only lasted for three seasons, and he is now QB3 at the Denver Broncos. When asked about Darnold this week, the Jets HC was complimentary with his words and praised the advantageous situations Kevin O’Connell was putting him in.

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs off the field after the Jets defeat the Cleveland Browns, 23-16, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford. © Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC.

Saleh Said. “He’s made a lot of plays, and they’ve taken advantage of some advantageous situations for him, but he’s been doing a really nice job.”

Darnold’s time as a Jet might not have been a wholly pleasant experience, but it was an important part of his journey, and the Vikings QB holds no ill will towards the organization. Both O’Connell and Jets QB Aaron Rodgers have spoken this week about the importance of QB development and the time required for that to happen. Both also said that teams aren’t doing it anymore, especially at a young quarterback’s first stop. The Vikings are reaping the benefit of Darnold’s seven-year journey in the NFL, along with a coach like O’Connell, who knows how to develop a QB.

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Darnold goes into the game as the NFC offensive player of the month for September. His incredible start to the season has seen him first in passing touchdowns and passer rating and second in yards per attempt. He will look to continue this stellar start in the first game of October.