In retrospect…from a CAP & team development standpoint, as painful as those 2 losses were, the Vikings GOAL is to END the SB Homeboy drought! And while Sam had a great regular season (up to the Lions game) & Rams playoff game…he simply isn’t that guy. So we gotta hope JJ McCarthy can evolve into that guy & spend our CAP 💵 accordingly! SKOL
If JJ is ready to go there is no issue at all I just worry he wont be...we just might be resigned to the fact the team will probably struggle some if he is the starter all of next year. I have seen enough of Vikings fans though to know they will likely turn on him when he struggles and they can be hard to win back.
The coaches are going to need to improve their play calling next year. KOC makes weird decisions that there is no logical reason for especially in the red zone. You can get away with some of them with an experienced QB, but a young QB coming off a full year injury and previous play being in college? No bueno.
You see the play calling struggles on 4th down. These are usually very manageable situations 4th and 5 yds or less. Just about every Vikings 4th down play call is an adventure.
The Vikes were 29th of 32 teams in conversion on 4th down with a 41.18% conversion rate. 24 teams are at 50% or higher. The top 10 are 64% or higher and 9 of those teams were in the playoffs. The Vikes struggle big time in extending drives & calling simple high percentage plays to get the few yards they need.
I love KOC and the Vikes are lucky to have him & hopefully for a long time. But to think he is at his peak or is already a top coach & also play caller. Sorry not even close yet.
If JJ is ready to go there is no issue at all I just worry he wont be...we just might be resigned to the fact the team will probably struggle some if he is the starter all of next year. I have seen enough of Vikings fans though to know they will likely turn on him when he struggles and they can be hard to win back.
The coaches are going to need to improve their play calling next year. KOC makes weird decisions that there is no logical reason for especially in the red zone. You can get away with some of them with an experienced QB, but a young QB coming off a full year injury and previous play being in college? No bueno.
You see the play calling struggles on 4th down. These are usually very manageable situations 4th and 5 yds or less. Just about every Vikings 4th down play call is an adventure.
The Vikes were 29th of 32 teams in conversion on 4th down with a 41.18% conversion rate. 24 teams are at 50% or higher. The top 10 are 64% or higher and 9 of those teams were in the playoffs. The Vikes struggle big time in extending drives & calling simple high percentage plays to get the few yards they need.
I love KOC and the Vikes are lucky to have him & hopefully for a long time. But to think he is at his peak or is already a top coach & also play caller. Sorry not even close yet.
Part of his struggles are his unwillingness to run. Understood his O-line hasn't been the best. I needs to be a mindset that if they need 1 yard, they can push the other team over to get that. Not just that they're going to out-scheme to get someone open for a pass.
They haven't had competent run blocking in years. There is rarely a hole for RBs to run though. It's almost as if they use the run to try to keep the defense honest and don't actually try to get rushing yards.If JJ is ready to go there is no issue at all I just worry he wont be...we just might be resigned to the fact the team will probably struggle some if he is the starter all of next year. I have seen enough of Vikings fans though to know they will likely turn on him when he struggles and they can be hard to win back.
The coaches are going to need to improve their play calling next year. KOC makes weird decisions that there is no logical reason for especially in the red zone. You can get away with some of them with an experienced QB, but a young QB coming off a full year injury and previous play being in college? No bueno.
You see the play calling struggles on 4th down. These are usually very manageable situations 4th and 5 yds or less. Just about every Vikings 4th down play call is an adventure.
The Vikes were 29th of 32 teams in conversion on 4th down with a 41.18% conversion rate. 24 teams are at 50% or higher. The top 10 are 64% or higher and 9 of those teams were in the playoffs. The Vikes struggle big time in extending drives & calling simple high percentage plays to get the few yards they need.
I love KOC and the Vikes are lucky to have him & hopefully for a long time. But to think he is at his peak or is already a top coach & also play caller. Sorry not even close yet.
Part of his struggles are his unwillingness to run. Understood his O-line hasn't been the best. I needs to be a mindset that if they need 1 yard, they can push the other team over to get that. Not just that they're going to out-scheme to get someone open for a pass.
If JJ McCarthy is the QB we have going forward. Protecting him with a nasty and mean offensive line should be where our coin goes this offseason. A good running game will be crucial too. Takes so much pressure (both figuratively and physically) off a QB's shoulders. Treat that position like the asset it is.
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Darrisaw and O'Neill are under contract and we shouldn't need to replace them. I think the consensus from the little I've read is Bradberry should be replaced. Is it just a matter of upgrading the middle of the OL? Not that that's easy or cheap. We essentially have 1 draft pick with which to find an impact player and the rest will be projects or depth players.If JJ McCarthy is the QB we have going forward. Protecting him with a nasty and mean offensive line should be where our coin goes this offseason. A good running game will be crucial too. Takes so much pressure (both figuratively and physically) off a QB's shoulders. Treat that position like the asset it is.
All they have to do is not re-sign Darnold, he is a terrible QB, if the Jets cut him NOBODY should sign him 
Aloha!
All they have to do is not re-sign Darnold, he is a terrible QB, if the Jets cut him NOBODY should sign him
The QB with the 5th most passing yards and TDs in the league is “terrible”
All they have to do is not re-sign Darnold, he is a terrible QB, if the Jets cut him NOBODY should sign him
The QB with the 5th most passing yards and TDs in the league is “terrible”
A lot of people said Cousins was terrible despite the stats.
I don’t remember too many people saying Cousins was terrible. It was more that he was slightly above average and way overpaid. Which I think was accurate. And as bad as Darnold played the last two weeks I think KOC should shoulder as much or more of the blame. Part of his job is to make some adjustments and to calm his QB down. He failed miserably at both.
All they have to do is not re-sign Darnold, he is a terrible QB, if the Jets cut him NOBODY should sign him
The exact reason I posted my replies... I didn't see this fire from game 1 through 16.
Keep your stick on the ice...
It’s days later and I’m still asking myself why didn’t he just pull it down and take off after 3 seconds of not seeing what he wanted? He wasn’t the same player, I really thought our chances with him were solid after the Seattle game. The Detroit game imo was less on darnold and more on game plan or lack of adjustments to man coverage. Sam didn’t really have the open receivers in Detroit like he did with the rams but imo he lost his confidence after Detroit and the pressure got the best of him. Playing for a contract and first playoff game in one. Seemed like he was just trying too hard to not make a mistake instead of playing like he did early on in the season and just having fun with nothing to lose. I’m ok bringing him back but no way should we pay him what he’s gonna get offered. JJ is the franchise qb let him start the process if healthy. He’s mobile and more athletic and he’s gonna do fine with an average O line imo.
All they have to do is not re-sign Darnold, he is a terrible QB, if the Jets cut him NOBODY should sign him
The QB with the 5th most passing yards and TDs in the league is “terrible”
A lot of people said Cousins was terrible despite the stats.
I don’t remember too many people saying Cousins was terrible. It was more that he was slightly above average and way overpaid. Which I think was accurate. And as bad as Darnold played the last two weeks I think KOC should shoulder as much or more of the blame. Part of his job is to make some adjustments and to calm his QB down. He failed miserably at both.
Tomato/tomahto on the terrible label, but the FACT is way too many fans shouldered the lack of playoff success on Cousins' shoulders and now they want to blame KOC and forgive Darnold.
They had to move on from Cousins because of the contract he wanted don't get me wrong, but sorry Darnold just isn't the answer. The overall negative body of work is just too damning to overlook. This season for him was lipstick on a pig and they have McCarthy waiting in the wings. If they did not just draft him when they did then keeping Darnold makes much more sense.
If they’re considering another contract for Sam it should be for the same reason they signed him this season before JJ got hurt. To have some experience mixed with rookie and it’s an open competition. But like I said his value is going to be a lot higher (although not necessarily just speculation). Jones can fill Darnold’s roll but it should be JJ’s job with control of his destiny. I don’t know exactly who’s looking for a Sam Darnold right now, Raiders, jets, Steelers? Let them over pay. We need to build around JJ.
From Nick Shook at NFL.com
- Steelers
- Jets
- Giants
- Saints
- Raiders
- Browns
- Colts
- Titans
Regarding the Vikings, he says...
Alas, this feels like the most likely outcome after Darnold's disappointing finish. McCarthy is returning from a meniscus injury that cost him his rookie season, opening the door for Darnold's breakout campaign. The fashion in which it ended might tank his value enough to make a return to Minnesota possible, perhaps in the range my colleague Gregg Rosenthal proposed on NFL Daily: two years, $30 million. A $15 million-per-year contract for a plus backup is feasible financially, and the two parties have enough familiarity from the 2024 season to justify running it back. The difference, though, is Darnold would be returning as a projected backup. He's a reliable option and a nice insurance policy in the event McCarthy struggles or isn't able to get healthy enough to play. There is one concern, though: Darnold's return could create a controversial scenario like the one produced by the Nick Foles/Carson Wentz dynamic in Philadelphia following the Eagles' Super Bowl triumph over the Patriots at the end of the 2017 season. The Vikings don't need those headlines.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
All they have to do is not re-sign Darnold, he is a terrible QB, if the Jets cut him NOBODY should sign him
The QB with the 5th most passing yards and TDs in the league is “terrible”
A lot of people said Cousins was terrible despite the stats.
I don’t remember too many people saying Cousins was terrible. It was more that he was slightly above average and way overpaid. Which I think was accurate. And as bad as Darnold played the last two weeks I think KOC should shoulder as much or more of the blame. Part of his job is to make some adjustments and to calm his QB down. He failed miserably at both.
Tomato/tomahto on the terrible label, but the FACT is way too many fans shouldered the lack of playoff success on Cousins' shoulders and now they want to blame KOC and forgive Darnold.
They had to move on from Cousins because of the contract he wanted don't get me wrong, but sorry Darnold just isn't the answer. The overall negative body of work is just too damning to overlook. This season for him was lipstick on a pig and they have McCarthy waiting in the wings. If they did not just draft him when they did then keeping Darnold makes much more sense.
Cousins was saddled with expectations that were ridiculous if you ever watched him play. He is a good QB that isn't a game changer. He has talent, but not enough to be the difference between a Super Bowl and just making the playoffs. This has been well known since his days at MSU. He wasn't worth the money he was paid, but the market for QBs is so stupid he cashed in. The Vikings should have known better.
He threw for 24000 yards roughly and 171 TDs in 6 years. That is pretty solid. Not light the world on fire but solid. The hate he gets from a vocal minority is disgusting.
Sam was running hot for quite a while and cooled at the end. He can easily be a Kirk Cousins or a Baker Mayfield and have a nice a career as a QB who can get 3500-4000 yards a season and so on. If we didn't have a young guy waiting I would be fine keeping him around at a decent price but we do and someone is going to pay for him. He earned a decent contract and no one should crap on the season he had just cause it ended badly. (not saying you are)
From Nick Shook at NFL.com
- Steelers
- Jets
- Giants
- Saints
- Raiders
- Browns
- Colts
- Titans
Regarding the Vikings, he says...
Alas, this feels like the most likely outcome after Darnold's disappointing finish. McCarthy is returning from a meniscus injury that cost him his rookie season, opening the door for Darnold's breakout campaign. The fashion in which it ended might tank his value enough to make a return to Minnesota possible, perhaps in the range my colleague Gregg Rosenthal proposed on NFL Daily: two years, $30 million. A $15 million-per-year contract for a plus backup is feasible financially, and the two parties have enough familiarity from the 2024 season to justify running it back. The difference, though, is Darnold would be returning as a projected backup. He's a reliable option and a nice insurance policy in the event McCarthy struggles or isn't able to get healthy enough to play. There is one concern, though: Darnold's return could create a controversial scenario like the one produced by the Nick Foles/Carson Wentz dynamic in Philadelphia following the Eagles' Super Bowl triumph over the Patriots at the end of the 2017 season. The Vikings don't need those headlines.
I dont think that is happening. Someone will sign him.
From Nick Shook at NFL.com
- Steelers
- Jets
- Giants
- Saints
- Raiders
- Browns
- Colts
- Titans
Regarding the Vikings, he says...
Alas, this feels like the most likely outcome after Darnold's disappointing finish. McCarthy is returning from a meniscus injury that cost him his rookie season, opening the door for Darnold's breakout campaign. The fashion in which it ended might tank his value enough to make a return to Minnesota possible, perhaps in the range my colleague Gregg Rosenthal proposed on NFL Daily: two years, $30 million. A $15 million-per-year contract for a plus backup is feasible financially, and the two parties have enough familiarity from the 2024 season to justify running it back. The difference, though, is Darnold would be returning as a projected backup. He's a reliable option and a nice insurance policy in the event McCarthy struggles or isn't able to get healthy enough to play. There is one concern, though: Darnold's return could create a controversial scenario like the one produced by the Nick Foles/Carson Wentz dynamic in Philadelphia following the Eagles' Super Bowl triumph over the Patriots at the end of the 2017 season. The Vikings don't need those headlines.
I dont think that is happening. Someone will sign him.
yeah i can't see any way he's coming back unless he's the starter. you don't come back to be a backup then relegating yourself to only signing backup deals. On top of that, you know that this fanbase is definitely the type to call for the backup QB and this will get gross in both directions regardless of who starts if the starter struggles. seems like a lose-lose outside of a 1 year deal where he's a bridge starter again because Mccarthy is still too green/hurt and Darnold is comfortable signing a lesser contract (can see pros and cons to this given how much he tanked his stock with the last 2 games and another good year probably nets him another 10m AAV on his next deal and signs for 4 years at 30AAV where if you go to the Giants for 3 years at 20AAV, you may be out of the league after that with how poorly they handle players; that said money in hand is worth more if it's a question). think they move on from Sam and roll with JJ unless there's more to his injury/development being slowed than we know of. he should be more than good to go by this fall and will have had a full offseason to learn, throw and develop even further.
All they have to do is not re-sign Darnold, he is a terrible QB, if the Jets cut him NOBODY should sign him
The QB with the 5th most passing yards and TDs in the league is “terrible”
A lot of people said Cousins was terrible despite the stats.
I don’t remember too many people saying Cousins was terrible. It was more that he was slightly above average and way overpaid. Which I think was accurate. And as bad as Darnold played the last two weeks I think KOC should shoulder as much or more of the blame. Part of his job is to make some adjustments and to calm his QB down. He failed miserably at both.
Tomato/tomahto on the terrible label, but the FACT is way too many fans shouldered the lack of playoff success on Cousins' shoulders and now they want to blame KOC and forgive Darnold.
They had to move on from Cousins because of the contract he wanted don't get me wrong, but sorry Darnold just isn't the answer. The overall negative body of work is just too damning to overlook. This season for him was lipstick on a pig and they have McCarthy waiting in the wings. If they did not just draft him when they did then keeping Darnold makes much more sense.
Based on the reactions, it’s about 90% of people blame Darnold while only 10% are blaming KOC. Very few people are making him shoulder this loss.
Sure Darnold sucked before he got here, but he was a top 10 QB the majority of the season. The question is was that all KOC doing that for him or did Darnold actually find something and just needs to keep the for the postseason?
Based on the reactions, it’s about 90% of people blame Darnold while only 10% are blaming KOC. Very few people are making him shoulder this loss.
Sure Darnold sucked before he got here, but he was a top 10 QB the majority of the season. The question is was that all KOC doing that for him or did Darnold actually find something and just needs to keep the for the postseason?
It can't be 90/10 because that would exonerate the O-line.
I'm persuaded that Darnold is the main figure in this drama after watching a couple of video breakdowns after the Lions' loss. He missed or otherwise overthrew receivers with regularity.
Sure, some of it was on KOC & his play calls. Some was on the OL. But Sam didn’t even look like the same player who torched a solid Green Bay defense TWICE this season.
For most of the season Darnold threw on time, in rhythm. That’s what all the top QB’s do 80% of the time. A hand full can hold the ball longer - Mahomes, Allen, (ARod in his prime). When U hold the ball, bad things usually happen.
Look, not saying Sam Darnold is now 💩 because he had 2 AWFUL games after 13 out of 16 where his QB rating was > 100. But, Vikings have 10th overall 2024 draft pick on our roster at QB. He’s not getting PAID big until 3 more years are in the books. He’s 21 years old & the ultimate goal is playing in the SB & winning it! The issue with Darnold is he held the ball with a glazed look on his face, looking confused & worst of all HESITATING to make decisions & plays during the two biggest games of his career. That’s hard to get past!
This is pretty good.
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Here is the thing Darnold is likely not as good as he played most of the season but he also isn't nearly as bad as he was playing for the Jets or the last 2 games of the season. (based on what reports say) He is a talented QB who is the right QB for a team that doesn't have SB aspirations but wants to be competitive. He can win games, and he can lead teams to victories but he obviously has issues in his game and struggles to get out of a funk when things go south in the bigger games. If you look at his days at USC it is rather similar.
I will also say, the line was a problem after Darrisaw got hurt and he often bailed them out. Not having a running game (something KOC needs to fix if he wants a future in this league) made it ten times worse. Sam works best in Play Action but no one cares about a fake if you have no running game and dont even really try to have one.
He can't come back though as the backup because the last thing this squad needs is a QB controversy and unfortunately whether it is the Gophers or the Vikings the fans prefer the backup to the starter even if the starter is playing well. Christ I remember when the fans wanted Todd Bauman to start or Gus Frerotte. If JJ struggled (as a rookie would) the calls for Sam would be loud and the boos would be worse than usual. Either Sam starts or he has to go somewhere else. I think the Steelers would be a team that should go after him I think he would fit in great there.
What Darnold is though Handy at his best isn't good enough to sign him for what other franchises are likely willing to give him given combined with the fact that McCarthy is in the wings. Plus if we're being honest the Vikings right now have a lot of holes and need $$ to fill them. I appreciate what Darnold did but unless he takes a discount good luck to him and I hope it works out.
Yes I know I said that. I am not advocating bringing him back.
The Vikes way overachieved what I expected. Just like Darnold did. I thought this would be a 7 win season with growing pains. It was a fun year in that sense. But I never got my hopes up that they would do anything in the playoffs. Since the 70s, we've seen that movie way too many times with the Vikings.
Darnold was a nice story about being resilient and fighting through all the haters he had. I give him a lot of credit for it and I was truly happy for him. I like a good redemption story. Unfortunately, I also believe there are enough flaws in his game that I don't think he'd be a good long term solution here. I'd franchise tag him. Either get another year out of him before turning the keys over to McCarthy or make use of his value with the tag this offseason and see if you can gain assets in the process.
We have enough weak spots in this team that I'd rather take my chances with a QB on a rookie deal and see how they can use the cap money elsewhere in building around him. Kwesi has been pretty spotty with his drafting (which I don't like) but he has done a relatively good job in free agency.
Get KOC locked into a deal. The man earned it and he is among the brightest coaches out there. Especially given his age.
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