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Wild Stat Underscores Just How Much Sam Darnold, QBs Have Thrived With Vikings
After tallying their seventh win in a row on Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings sit at 12-2—tied atop the NFC North with the Detroit Lions.
The theme of Minnesota's incredible 2024 season? Quarterback play. After long-time starter Kirk Cousins walked away in free agency this offseason to sign with Atlanta, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a one-year deal—and he's shined. Through 14 games, the 27-year-old has thrown for over 3,500 yards and 29 touchdowns, has Minnesota scoring over 26 points per game, and has notched a passer rating of 104.9.
Said passer rating has Darnold and the Vikings in rare territory. According to OptaSTATS, if Darnold can follow up Cousins' 2023 rating of 103.8 with a 100+ mark through the end of the season, it would be the first time in history that an NFL team lost a quarterback with a 100.0+ passer rating and then added a new one in one offseason.
Kirk Cousins had a 103.8 passer rating last season for the @Vikings. Now Sam Darnold has a mark of 104.9 this year.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) December 17, 2024
No other team in NFL history has, in one offseason, lost a qualifying QB with a 100.0+ passer rating but added another who duplicated the feat the next season. pic.twitter.com/oN3v3TMBIg
Adding further context to Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell's QB factory, Cousins—who granted is coming off a torn Achilles—has struggled with the Falcons this season. The 36-year-old has thrown 16 interceptions through 14 games, and on Monday night threw his first touchdown in over a month and a half.
As for Darnold, he was once written off as a bust and will now—thanks in part to his head coach—have an opportunity to cash in on what is likely to be a hefty payday this offseason.
The Vikings will take on the Seahawks in Seattle next Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST to try and make it eight in a row.
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Mike Kadlick is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the New England Patriots for WEEI sports radio in Boston and continues to do so for CLNS Media. He has a master's in public relations from Boston University. Kadlick is also an avid runner and a proud lover of all things pizza.