Despite hot start, Sam Darnold still struggling with vital aspect of Vikings offense

Sam Darnold has gotten off to a fast start at Minnesota Vikings training camp, launching long bombs to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison which have been posted to social media. But according to SKOR North’s Judd Zulgad, there’s one area of Darnold’s game that remains a work in progress.

On Friday's edition of Purple Daily, Zulgad noted that Darnold has been impressive when throwing downfield but his effectiveness on short and intermediate passes continues to be an issue through the early stages of camp.

“The intermediate passes or the short passes continue to be a work, and I don’t know if this is a Darnold problem or ‘Hey, he’s new’ [or] He’s trying to get the timing down.’ Those are obviously all about timing and cohesiveness. But as good as the deep balls are, the short stuff is questionable through two days.”

Zulgad also noted that “it could totally change” as training camp progresses, and his recent last extended stint as a starter with the Carolina Panthers in 2022 suggests it could be corrected. 

Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold needs to improve his short and intermediate throws

According to Next Gen Stats, Darnold had a passer rating above league average in all three sections of the field including a perfect 158.3 rating to the left and 156.3 in the center on attempts from 10-to-20 yards. But the short throws within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage produced a 62.5 passer rating to the left and an 85.9 rating to the right.

But Darnold was even worse as the Panthers’ starter to begin the 2021 season, posting average to below-average passer ratings all over the field, including a 9.6 passer rating to the right on throws between 10-to-20 yards.

This was one area Darnold worked on with the San Francisco 49ers last season and completed 13-of-14 passes including a touchdown between 0-to-10 yards in his Week 18 start against the Los Angeles Rams. But he went just 2-of-7 on throws over 10 yards downfield and finished with a modest line of 189 yards and a touchdown.

While some could also consider this to be an opening for J.J. McCarthy to take the starting job, Zulgad also noted that McCarthy had issues with intermediate throws although he was also working with the second team.

Other quarterbacks such as Kirk Cousins, Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullens have needed extended time in Kevin O’Connell’s system before they felt comfortable with it, which could be what’s happening in the early stages of camp.

The Vikings believe they can get more out of Darnold as their starter to begin the year but his history still gives people reservations. If Darnold can shake off the rust, he should be able to hold onto the job until McCarthy is ready to take the reins.

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