Sam Darnold did not want to create any controversy.
The 27-year-old quarterback — who has led the Minnesota Vikings to a 4-0 start and is playing the best football of his career — was asked this week whether he thought that the New York Jets had failed him as a young quarterback. The question was timely because Darnold and the Vikings (4-0) will face the Jets (2-2) on Sunday in London.
“I had a lot of opportunities in New York,” Darnold said, “and I always felt like I could’ve played better there.”
Six years after the Jets drafted Darnold at No. 3 overall out of USC, the strong-armed signal-caller has found his footing. He has thrown for 932 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in his first four games with Minnesota. His touchdown total and passer rating (118.9) lead the league heading into Week 5.
A showdown against his former team will not inspire any ill will from Darnold.
“I’m not really thinking about that, to be honest,” Darnold said. “A lot of new faces over there. Still know a few players. I’m sure before the game, maybe after the game, (I’ll see) some of the people that I’ve built really good relationships with. That’s always the fun part about this league, being able to see people that you’ve worked with in the past.
“That’ll be good to see those guys, but other than that, (it’s a) pretty new defense since I’ve been there and a lot of new players.”
The list of new players starts with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is in his second season with the Jets after spending 18 seasons with one of the Vikings’ biggest rivals in Green Bay.
This is set to be Rodgers’ 30th career game against Minnesota. He is 17-11-1 against the Vikings all time with 7,157 yards, 57 touchdown passes and eight picks in those 29 games.
The 40-year-old has had mixed results so far this season. He has thrown for 849 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. But his team has struggled to find consistency on offense and he been limited in practice so far with a knee injury.
“I’m feeling a little banged up,” Rodgers said during a paid appearance on ESPN. “Took some shots. Knee is a little swollen.”
If Rodgers is sore, that could prompt the Jets to turn more toward Breece Hall and their running game. Hall has rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns on the season, while rookie teammate Braelon Allen has rushed for 130 yards and one score.
The only player not to practice Wednesday because of injury was offensive tackle Morgan Moses, who is dealing with a knee injury sustained in Week 3. He is expected to miss 1-3 more weeks.
The Vikings’ ground game is led by Rodgers’ old teammate in Green Bay, Aaron Jones, who has rushed for 321 yards and a touchdown to go with 143 yards receiving with a score. Justin Jefferson is the top threat in the passing game with 20 catches for 358 yards and four scores in four games.
Like the Jets, the Vikings are doing pretty well on the injury front. Cornerback Akayleb Evans was the only player to miss Wednesday’s practice, and that was because of illness. The team is hopeful he will be ready go for Sunday.
Patrick Jones II (five sacks) and Jonathan Greenard (four) lead the Vikings’ defense.
The Jets’ pass rush is led by Will McDonald IV (five sacks), while Solomon Thomas and Michael Clemons are tied for second with 1.5 each.
The game will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London. The Vikings will serve as the host team.
The Vikings are 3-0 in London in their team history. They won in 2013, 2017 and most recently in 2022 when they held off the New Orleans Saints for a 28-25 victory.
The Jets are 1-1 in London. They beat the Miami Dolphins in 2015 and lost to the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.
–Field Level Media
