Legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, now in the broadcast booth instead of on the sidelines, couldn’t help but take a jab at the New York Jets during a recent appearance on the *Pat McAfee Show*. While discussing the early success of Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings, Belichick slyly remarked, “Everybody has liked Darnold except the Jets,” throwing shade at his former AFC East rivals.
Darnold, who has been thriving with the Vikings in the early stages of the 2024 season, has posted impressive stats: 657 passing yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions, a 67.9% completion rate, and a 117.3 passer rating. More importantly, he’s led Minnesota to a perfect 3-0 start.
Originally drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018, Darnold struggled to find consistency during his three-year stint in New York. His best season came in 2019 when he threw for 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions over 13 games. The Jets eventually traded Darnold to the Carolina Panthers in April 2021, but his tenure there was underwhelming, with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions across 18 appearances.
After a brief backup role with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, Darnold signed with the Vikings in March 2024, where he’s finally generating buzz. Of course, having elite talent like wide receiver Justin Jefferson at his disposal has certainly helped his resurgence.
While Belichick’s comment highlights the Jets’ struggles to develop Darnold, the quarterback’s true potential is only now being realized in Minnesota. Time will tell if Darnold can maintain his strong start throughout the season.
