The Minnesota Vikings are looking to come out of the bye week and get right back in the win column. Minnesota started 5-0 before dropping their last two games. They will welcome the Indianapolis Colts into US Bank Stadium for Sunday Night Football.
However, there will be one aspect of their game that Minnesota refuses to rely on.
“We Can’t Rely On Him For That” Vikings HC Makes Controversial Statement On Own Starter
According to journalist Trevor Squire:
Darnold holding the ball has led to him taking the sixth-most sacks (21) this season. He’s among five quarterbacks with a sack rate of 10% or higher and is the only one still starting through eight weeks.
Darnold’s mobility has been an overlooked asset of his game, but O’Connell does not want to rely on Darnold to improvise.
“It’s critical that we don’t build a mentality around relying on [his movement ability],” O’Connell told KFAN’s Paul Allen this week. “That’s where you can really see some plays where Sam is trying to create so much that we can have some pretty big negatives.
“We had a 13-yard loss on a sack [in a loss to the Rams], we had another significant loss on a play-pass sack. I just think it’s important that we still build within the confines of rhythm, timing. I think we mix that in with a little bit more of a transition-type, fast-break offense, where we can get the ball out, get the ball in space to our guys, and not ask Sam to hold the ball in that pocket.”
It will be interesting to see how Minnesota changes their play calling (if at all) to adjust for Darnold being considered strictly a pocket passer.
