The NFL world is still not entirely sure how we got here but Sam Darnold is lighting the league on fire and about to lead the Minnesota Vikings into the playoffs with a legitimate Super Bowl shot.
Cast off by the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers, Darnold is an entirely new player this season. With 4,153 passing yards, 35 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions, and a 68 percent completion rate, you could make a legitimate case that he’s an MVP candidate, especially as the 14-2 Vikings attempt to lock up the top seed in the NFC Playoffs next weekend against the rival Detroit Lions.
Don’t think all of this sudden success has gone to Darnold’s head. According to Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, the quarterback remains down to earth and a great teammate (at the 9:17 mark of the video).
Live: Coach Wes Phillips press conference https://t.co/gmieygIPr0
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 31, 2024
“I’ve said it before, he’s just a good dude,” Phillips told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s a good guy. He’s likable. Good sense of humor. He’s one of the guys. Hangs with the guys. Guy’s guy type of guy.”
That extra guy elicited some chuckles from the room of reporters, momentarily confusing Phillips.
“Is that funny? Guy’s guy?” he asked.
“…type of guy,” said one of the reporters.
“Yeah… guy’s guy…type of guy,” replied Phillips, taking in the full statement. “Not everyone’s a guy’s guy.”
So there you have it. If you’re looking for a guy who’s gonna be a guy’s guy type of guy around the guys, the guy for you is the guy named Sam Darnold.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.