Minnesota Vikings' Sam Darnold Favored To Win Comeback Player Of The Year? Betting Odds

Former USC Trojans and current Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has been on a tear in his first season as the starter for the Vikings. Darnold is one of the betting favorites NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award according to latest odds.

Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws passes during pregame warmups before their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is in the midst of a career resurgent year. The former third overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft has has led the Vikings back into the playoffs as a wildcard team.

Throughout his resurgent year, he is fifth in the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Darnold has thrown for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns to only 12 interceptions. After contributing as a backup in San Francisco last season, the former USC Trojans quarterback has burst back on the scene and is on track to be a favorite for the Comeback Player of the Year award.

Dec 29, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) rolls out to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first quarter in the 2017 Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Darnold sits right behind Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in odds for the award. Burrow is the favorite with -270 odds and Darnold sitting behind him with +200 odds according to oddsmakers.

It's been a season full of career-highs for Darnold. Coming into the season, he had yet to throw for over 20 touchdowns in his professional career. Not only has he smashed through that number, but the 35 passing touchdowns are the most he has ever thrown in a season, even dating back to his days at USC.

Not only does Darnold have some of the best stats of his career this season, he's been doing it with efficiency that had yet to be seen. His passer rating is currently sitting at 102.5, which is the highest he's had since his second year in the league where he held a 84.3 passer rating.

Coming into this season, Darnold's future with the Vikings was already in doubt after Minnesota spent a first round pick on Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy. However, a season-ending knee injury would sideline McCarthy, and Darnold has become the undisputed No. 1 quarterback for Minnesota.

MORE: Can Pete Carroll Save Chicago Bears' Front Office? Aggressive Head Coach Search

MORE: USC Trojans' Matt Leinart Sounds Off On College Football Playoff Hate

MORE: USC Trojans Revamped Quarterback Room: Jayden Maiava, Husan Longstreet, Sam Huard

Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) passes against the Seattle Seahawks during the third quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Darnold had big expectations when he came into the NFL out of USC. In two season of work with the Trojans, he threw for 7,229 yards and 57 touchdowns. Many thought the production would transfer over to the NFL, but through his first six season in the pros, Darnold could not put it all together.

After signing with the Vikings, Darnold has flourished under Minnesota coach Kevin O'Connell. Considered a quarterback whisperer, O'Connell was behind former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins' resurgence in Minnesota.

The immediate future for Darnold is the NFL Playoffs as Minnesota faces the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round on Monday, Jan. 13. Due to the fires in the Los Angeles area, the game has been moved to the Arizona Cardinals' stadium.

Darnold and the Vikings will kickoff against the Rams at 5 p.m. PT on Monday night.

MORE: USC Trojans Sign Transfer Kevin Longstreet From Texas A&M, QB Husan's Brother

MORE: USC Trojans Coach Lincoln Riley Visits 5-Star Brandon Arrington at Mount Miguel

MORE: USC Trojans Land Transfer Portal Quarterback Sam Huard, Former 5-Star Recruit

MORE: USC Trojans Land Transfer Portal Running Back Waymond Jordan Over Ole Miss