O’Hara: Vikings would be best possible landing spot for Xavien Howard | ‘NFL Total Access’
NFL Network’s Shaun O’Hara explains why he believes the Minnesota Vikings are the team best suited to sign free-agent cornerback Xavien Howard in 2024.
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Vikings’ Sam Darnold gets eye-opening Kevin O’Connell endorsement after replacing Kirk Cousins
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell believes Sam Darnold is due for a massive breakout.
The Minnesota Vikings made a pivotal change at the quarterback position during the 2024 NFL free agency period. Minnesota brought in former San Francisco 49ers QB Sam Darnold after Kirk Cousin’s departure. Head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Darnold amid his arrival from an impressive two-year stretch.
“I think his best football is ahead of him because of how he’s handled the last couple of years. Whether it’s going 4-2 down the stretch in Carolina in 22′, or when you turn on the tape of his work in San Francisco, you can tell [the 49ers coaches] did a great job in the next phase of his career,” O’Connell said, per NFL Network.
The Vikings head coach pointed out that Darnold further honed his fundamentals and techniques with San Francisco. As a result, O’Connell is ecstatic about the next step Darnold can take alongside his new teammates in Minnesota.
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings get a seasoned professional in Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold started his professional career with the New York Jets when the team selected him with the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. The former USC standout got off to a sound start, throwing for 2,865 yards and 17 touchdowns in his rookie season.
Darnold’s debut year did not come without hiccups. He threw a career-high 15 interceptions. Nevertheless, he steadily improved the following year. Darnold leapt to a career-best 3,024 passing yards and 19 touchdowns in 13 games during the 2019-20 season.
Unfortunately, the coveted QB prospect had a slight downfall for his third year and landed a new opportunity with the Panthers in 2021, where he increased his previous year’s production by nearly 300 yards. He proceeded to play just six games during the 2022-23 season, but they were some of the best of his career.
Darnold led Carolina to a 4-2 late-season run with a career-high 92.6 passer rating. Afterward, he joined the 49ers in 2023-24 and provided support for star QB Brock Purdy. Now, the 26-year-old has the chance to take himself higher on a revamped Kirk Cousins-less Vikings roster.
Minnesota boasts a monster offensive weapon for Darnold
Sam Darnold’s stats are not the most eye-popping, but he should receive a huge boost from one of Minnesota’s most coveted stars.
