{"id":182197,"date":"2024-07-20T14:45:04","date_gmt":"2024-07-20T18:45:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=182197"},"modified":"2024-07-20T14:21:12","modified_gmt":"2024-07-20T18:21:12","slug":"vikings-training-camp-preview-quarterbacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/07\/20\/vikings-training-camp-preview-quarterbacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Vikings Training Camp Preview-Quarterbacks"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time in years, the Minnesota Vikings<\/a> are Kirk Cousins<\/a>-less. This is the most uncertainty the quarterback position has faced since Cousins was signed and yet there\u2019s still an excellent foundation. With four quarterbacks on the roster, three of them playing important games in the NFL and one coming off a national title run, the Vikings have a lot of solid options to choose from, something a lot of teams in the league can\u2019t say.<\/p>\n

Vikings Training Camp Preview-Quarterbacks<\/h2>\n

Sam Darnold<\/h3>\n

Coming off a year where he played only one game, Sam Darnold<\/a> was able to sit behind Brock Purdy<\/a>, as well as learn from offensive genius Kyle Shanahan<\/a> and quarterback coach Brian Griese<\/a>. Darnold has struggled to find a home in the NFL since being drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018 but joins a roster with the best offensive weapons he\u2019s ever played with. In all likelihood, Darnold will be the week one starter in New York and much beyond. He\u2019s the most proven starting-caliber quarterback with years of playing experience. At his best, he\u2019s a play-extending and rocket-armed quarterback who can make plays. At his worst, he\u2019s a turnover-prone disaster that loses games with his recklessness.<\/p>\n

The hope is that Kevin O\u2019Connell<\/a> can tap into that talent that got him drafted so highly and that surrounding him with dynamic receivers and vertical, field-pushing tight ends can unlock that talent, but it\u2019s yet to be done up to this point. The expectations are low for Darnold, but at minimum, a success for him would be to hold down the job well enough to the point J.J. McCarthy can sit and wait until he\u2019s ready to play, whenever that may be. Winning isn\u2019t the goal for this season and shouldn\u2019t be reflected on Darnold as an expectation, being a capable quarterback who can spread the ball around and lead the offense consistently and use his talent to be aggressive but not stupid. If he does that, he\u2019ll be exactly what Minnesota was looking for in a bridge quarterback.<\/p>\n

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Holding on the play negates a terrific throw by Sam Darnold but doesn\u2019t matter\u2026 Sam put it on film to beat the blitz. Great job Darnold! pic.twitter.com\/SE1NuMWkVT<\/a><\/p>\n

— Eric Crocker (@CoachCrocky) August 20, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n