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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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Wild Stat Underscores Just How Much Sam Darnold, QBs Have Thrived With Vikings.
