The Misinformation Surrounding Sam Darnold’s Remarkable Season

In an unusual twist of events, there has been a wave of incorrect information surrounding Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, despite his stellar performance this season. After signing a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings in March, Darnold’s impact was immediate, as he led the team to an impressive 5-0 record before their week six bye week. Following that, the Vikings hit a rough patch, losing two games in a row, but they quickly regained momentum, going on a nine-game winning streak that propelled Darnold into the MVP conversation.

Despite this remarkable run, the media, particularly ESPN’s “First Take” panel, has been hesitant to fully acknowledge Darnold’s accomplishments and the level of his play this year. It’s puzzling that, with such a strong performance, the recognition hasn’t been as widespread as one would expect.

Stephen A. Smith’s Misguided Comments on Darnold’s Performance

On Thursday morning’s broadcast of First Take, Stephen A. Smith made a baffling comment regarding Darnold’s season. While discussing his “stellar season,” Smith stated that Darnold hadn’t thrown for 300 yards since the first matchup with the Chicago Bears. “We’re talking about Sam Darnold, and again, he deserves credit; we know he’s had a stellar season. The man hasn’t thrown for 300 yards since November 24th against Chicago,” said Smith, which left many viewers scratching their heads.

Correcting the Record: Darnold’s Actual Yardage Achievements

The issue with Smith’s statement is that it was completely inaccurate. Not only did Sam Darnold throw for 377 yards against the Green Bay Packers on national television this past Sunday, but he also put up an impressive 341 yards against the Atlanta Falcons on December 8th. These performances clearly contradict the narrative Smith presented on the show, leading many fans and analysts to wonder whether he had even been paying attention to Darnold’s games.

Even more frustrating was that none of the other panelists—host Molly Qerim, Booger McFarland, or Chris “Mad Dog” Russo—stepped in to correct Smith’s claim. Instead, Smith continued with his comments, asking Darnold to prove himself and questioning why he should be treated as a Hall of Fame-caliber player like Dan Marino. “I mean, I’m just throwing it out there. Let’s not act like this is the second coming of Dan Marino, and we just see him flinging passes all over the place. I mean, you got [Justin] Jefferson, you got [Jordan] Addison… I’m just saying, can we pump the brakes… can we sit up there and at least have the mentality, let’s see? Everybody else got to show, how come he don’t have to show it? Let’s see,” Smith continued.

The Real Story: Darnold’s Pro Bowl-Deserving Performance

It’s hard to believe that Stephen A. Smith hasn’t watched a single game of Darnold’s this season. His performance has been nothing short of spectacular, which is why he earned a well-deserved spot in the Pro Bowl this year. Darnold has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league, showing poise, accuracy, and consistency. His ability to lead the Vikings, despite being a newcomer, has been a key factor in their impressive season.

Darnold’s critics, including Smith, seem to overlook the fact that his stats and leadership on the field speak for themselves. Whether it’s his big-yardage games or his ability to manage the offense with precision, Darnold has proven time and again that he’s one of the league’s elite quarterbacks this year.

The Hope for Future Recognition

Maybe next week, we’ll finally see a segment on First Take that gives Sam Darnold the respect and recognition he truly deserves. It’s clear from his performances this season that he has earned a spot among the league’s best quarterbacks, and his efforts shouldn’t be overshadowed by media missteps. Hopefully, the next discussion surrounding Darnold will accurately reflect his impressive achievements, and we can put this misinformation behind us.

You can watch the full exchange from First Take below, and hopefully, the narrative surrounding Darnold’s career will start to shift in the right direction. The time has come for the media to recognize his talent and contribution to the Vikings’ success.