QB of the future?

A guy in his second year under cost control versus a guy in year 8 for a big number. If Darnold wins a SB it might be a question otherwise no. It's a no brainer that they go with JJM. Maybe they could tag and trade Sam, don't know, I haven't looked into the mechanics of whether that's possible.

Probably Sam gets hurt in the playoffs and JJM returns to win that SB as a rookie. Problem solved! :)

I have seen how he performed and I also noticed that the defense held teams to an average of 16ppg in those 4 wins. I also noticed that in every single one of those 4 wins, the Panthers had more rushing yards than they did passing yards. Darnold played well in the video I saw, I don't know his EPA but he also had 3 interceptions and 6 fumbles, under 200 yards per game throwing that season as well over the 6 starts. What I watched in the video I saw that season was a QB with support not asked to do as much but making plays when needed like a good game manager should. I think this stretch is more impressive for him so not sure why you would even bring that up. It doesn't change the point that was made at all, only reinforces it further that it was the only stretch prior to being here he seemed to have some success and it was with that type of support.



Sure but changing plans based on a 4 week sample doesn;t make very much sense. This regime went 13-4 and still decided to move forward with starting the rebuild process anyways because they have a long term plan in place. As a long time Vikings fan it is refreshing to have a group with that type of vision that doesn't overreact to some success or smaller samples of play.

None of this is to say Darnold hasn't played well or been a fantastic value for us. I am very happy with what he has done so far and hope he can keep it up. I think he is more talented with a much better arm than Keenum who was the last player we got fantastic value out of at the QB position, game managing with great defensive play. Darnold is awesome and I root for him to keep this up this season and wherever he ends up. The entire point being made is that once you pay up that means you need to get elite level play or you likely will be in trouble. Just like we were with Cousins where we fell apart with constant cap issues preventing us from an offseason like we just had. If you want to say Darnold is even better than Cousins I am not the one to argue against but he was constantly defended as not the problem despite now it being pretty clear that extra cap space can make a massive difference on filling the holes this roster had. That's the issue and why it doesn't make sense to pay up for even what some consider a borderline top 10 QB, especially with what has been outlined about what all has gone into getting and developing Mccarthy who will be cheap.

We have a lot of expiring contracts on top of some other clear needs like interior OL that need fixing still. That needs to be the focus of the offseason, not paying up for a QB who has done well when getting a lot of support but who would now limit the support we can add around him with a large contract. We just went through 6 years of proving that and doing circles with fanboys of the last QB. It's time for a different route, which seems to have been this regimes plan all along anyways. Stick to the plan, aim as high as possible, even if you risk losing a solid QB. As we have seen, a solid high priced QB leaving will not cripple this franchise.

Carolina was tanking that season. When the team unexpectedly had the chance to make the playoffs due to Darnold's play, they unleashed him against the reigning Super Bowl champs. He had a better EPA than Cousins on a much worse team, one weapon and his coach had been fired mid season. Please watch his Carolina highlight tapes from 2022. Can McCarthy make those throws? Has he ever? Be honest. The skill gap between the two is very large if you actually watch the tapes.

Pro days carry no weight with me my guy. None whatsoever.

A quick history of recent tag and trade situations

lionswire.usatoday.com/lists/history-of-the-tag-and-trade-outcomes-for-franchise-players-and-teams/

Like always summed up well. That’s exactly what I’m getting at. A lot of thoughts above is how I see it as well.

JJ is the future. Sam makes too many questionable throws still.

He got away with one on the first drive in GB for example.