Questions Answered: Benching Sam Darnold, Vikings + Titans, Camryn Bynum
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the November 11th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Benching Sam Darnold, Worries about the Titans, Camryn Bynum
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But weâll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: My question is a two-parter. Do you think the Vikings SHOULD bench Sam Darnold? And do you think the Vikings WILL bench Sam Darnold?
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Answer: Absolutely not on both.
The NFC North quarterbacks played dreadfully on Sunday â Sam Darnold, Jared Goff, and Caleb Williams â and Darnold was the only one to take any real heat.
Goffâs 5-interception effort and the Lions comeback win were called âgritty.â The whole world called for the Bears to fire their offensive coaching staff. And for Darnold, well, heâs the one with no grace. Itâs weird.
The Vikings are adamantly behind Darnold, and one awful game wonât send him to the bench. The alternative is Nick Mullens â and his one primary weakness is ⊠interceptions.
Reporters asked OâConnell if he had a moment when he considered tossing Mullens into action, and he replied, âNot one. Not one all day long. In fact, I was looking at it as a great opportunity to see growth and continue to move the team. Weâre going to check back on this moment and use it the right way, and Sam is going to be better off for it. I truly do believe that.â
OâConnell added, âWeâre still 100% confident in Sam. It would be craziness not to be.â
In reality, Darnold would likely need two more back-to-back games with 3+ picks and no touchdowns to hit the bench. This coaching staff doesnât âgive up on guysâ in the face of adversity.
Q: Because Sundayâs win was so sloppy, are you worried about the Titans game?
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) heads off the field after throwing a fourth quarter interception against the Indianapolis Colts during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. © Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Answer: For sure.
Until the offensive turnovers stop, the only elixir to Vikings-themed anxiety is proof. Minnesota basically needs a clean game on offense to dispel lingering fears.
It certainly didnât have a clean game on Sunday, so onlookers â this website included â will intently monitor Sam Darnold specifically to ensure his faults in Week 10 were an outlier.
Q: When will Minnesota extend Camryn Bynumâs contract? They need him.
Minnesota safety Camryn Bynum (24) catches an interception to effectively end the game during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Answer: Probably in February.
Itâs too late in the regular season to extend his deal, according to how Minnesotaâs front office typically does business.
However, Bynum and the Vikingsâ brass have no ill will, meaning his extension will likely hit in a few months. Betting on Bynum for the long haul is probably safe because Harrison Smith will retire soon. Minnesota will need safeties.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, âThe Sopranos,â Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Â
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