As training camp progressed, it appeared as if Sam Darnold could be the Minnesota Vikings' Week 1 starting quarterback.
Now, there seems to be no doubt that the New York Jets' former franchise field general will start for Minnesota, which is scheduled to face Gang Green in a Week 6 International Series affair. Competing with Darnold for the job, first-round rookie JJ McCarthy received some unfortunate news on Wednesday and is expected to miss the entire season due to a meniscus tear.
Darnold's return to the QB1 role follows a successful one-year stint as the little-used backup for the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers.
It's been a bumpy road for the USC product since the Jets made him the No. 4 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Darnold went 7-6 as a second-year starter for New York, but injuries and lost confidence led to a 2-10 record in 2020. The Jets traded him to the Carolina Panthers following that disastrous season and subsequently drafted Zach Wilson at No. 2 overall.
Over 66 career appearances, Darnold has accounted for a lackluster 59.7 completion percentage, 63 touchdown passes and 56 interceptions.
Barring injury, the Jets will go toe to toe with the man once thought to be the franchise's savior on October 6 in London.
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