Sam Darnold Positioned as starter for 2024

Published: 2024-08-14 11:33:20

Darnold will open Week 1 under center and for Minnesota and could start the entire 2024 season with 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy (knee) having undergone season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, Nick Shook of NFL.com reports.

Darnold figures to dominate the remainder of first-team reps in training camp and preseason action for the Vikings, while Nick Mullens shifts to the No. 2 role. The team will doubtless explore adding further options to the quarterback room with McCarthy done for the year, but if Darnold is able to competently command the offense, he now has a clear path to a season-long starting gig. There's no guarantee that Darnold -- who has never suited up for more than 13 games in a season in his seven-year career -- can accomplish that task, but he is arguably in the best environment he's seen in the NFL. No. 1 wide receiver Justin Jefferson may be the most reliable target in the league, Jordan Addison appears primed to build upon a productive rookie campaign, and T.J. Hockenson (knee) is a premier tight end option, when healthy. There could be downside if Addision ends up facing a suspension for his offseason arrest, or if Hockenson's recovery from an ACL tear stretches into the later portion of the regular season, but in fantasy leagues that allow for multiple starting quarterbacks Darnold now looks like an intriguing late-round flier.

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