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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said it was "very important" to consider quarterback Sam Darnold's "body of work" over the course of the season when deciding on his future with the team.
Darnold, who is set to become a free agent, enjoyed a career renaissance during the majority of the Vikings' regular season before back-to-back disappointing performances against the Detroit Lions in Week 18 -- a loss that decided the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the NFC North Division title -- and Monday's 27-9 Wild Card Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
"What he was able to do this year, when not very many people thought he would be able to lead a team to 14 wins, which is rare," O'Connell said after the game via ESPN. "The way he came in, committed himself to just a daily process to be the best version of himself. It did not work out in the end. I think Sam would be the first one to tell you. Could he have played better tonight? I'm sure he would tell you he could have. Could I have coached better? I promise you I could have. Could our team have rallied around a play here and there to keep it close? For sure."
Darnold threw for a career-best 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns during the regular season, but left much to be desired in the Vikings' two biggest games. The former USC standout threw for 166 yards on 18 of 41 passing against Detroit and 245 yards, one touchdown and one interceptions on 25 of 40 passing against Los Angeles, which included one fumble, being sacked nine times and leading a Vikings offense that went 6 of 17 on third downs and 1 of 4 on fourth downs.
Darnold signed a one-year deal with the Vikings last offseason prior to the team selecting quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. O'Connell insisted that Darnold would enter the season as the starter even prior to McCarthy suffering a season-ending knee injury during a preseason game.
Darnold's breakout season led to speculation of a potential quarterback controversy entering McCarthy's second season prior to his recent struggles.