In a lot of ways, the recent piece from ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler rubs salt in the wound for the Vikings. […]
In a lot of ways, the recent piece from ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler rubs salt in the wound for the Vikings.
Kahler does tremendous work, digging into Sam Darnold’s background to clarify how he worked from draft bust up to Super Bowl quarterback. The NFL writer found no shortage of voices willing to praise Mr. Darnold. In fact, some of those voices came from within the Vikings’ orbit. Both of Justin Jefferson alongside Aaron Jones get roped into the mix due to their recent comments on Darnold, but it’s the Nick Mullens words that raise some eyebrows.
The Vikings Appear to Snag an Uppercut from Nick Mullens
Apparently, the full team matters.
Mullens didn’t love how the blame for Minnesota’s late-season collapse got dropped down on Darnold’s shoulders. Instead, the veteran passer spreads the blame. “A lot was put on his shoulders to really lead the team to 14 wins,” insists Mullens, “And now that he’s got a complete football [team], I’m not totally surprised. The run game is really good in Seattle.”
The key words? And now.
Intentional or not, Mullens is offering a pivot. There’s a reflection on Darnold picking up no shortage of criticism for struggling in Week 18 of the 2024 regular season before losing in the opening round of the playoffs. But then there’s the reflection on the situation in Seattle, a team that differentiates itself from Minnesota since the Seahawks know how to run. Did the Vikings, a team allergic to running the football with commitment and consistency, just take one on the chin?
Another round of insight from Mullens:
“It was not only Sam’s fault,” Mullens said. “To say that two weeks before those games, he was a top-desired, top-dollar free agent, and then he plays two bad games after winning 14, and then he’s, a ‘I don’t know if he truly is the guy or not.’ To go from that high to that low, I think, is an unfair judgment.”
Finally, one more idea coming from Mullens: “‘Man, to win 14 games in the NFL and not know if you’re good enough?’ Mullens said. ‘That’s brutal. Like, what do you want, undefeated?'”
There’s a lot there, folks.
Mullens doesn’t outright say that O’Connell should run the ball more or that Minnesota isn’t particularly smart for allowing Darnold to slip away. There is, nevertheless, a way that Mullens’ words can be read that reflects poorly on the Vikings.
Minnesota, foolishly, didn’t setup Sam Darnold to succeed before using him as a scapegoat. Sam Darnold then went to a complete team that believes in him and supports him. The end result is not just another 14-win season — a tremendous outcome — but a Super Bowl victory while rallying behind a passer who is still just 28.
Safe to say that the pressure is high in Minnesota to find some success with the current QB plan, one that is working through a ton of uncertainty.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell knows much about getting the best out of his quarterbacks. He nevertheless finds himself on the hot seat as he enters the fifth season leading the Vikings. Ironically, the main critiques are that he has been too committed to featuring his QBs by being too reluctant to run the football.
Oh, and showing Darnold the door doesn’t help, either.
Go ahead and check out the Kalyn Kahler story. It’s excellent, just as Sam Darnold has proven to be excellent.
Category: General Sports
