It takes strong resolve from these young quarterbacks to persevere, and it, too, takes the right fit for them to finally make it. Darnold and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appear to be a good fit. Having star receiver Justin Jefferson to throw to doesn’t hurt, either.

“Sam is a starting quarterback in this league, and he should run with it.” O’Connell acknowledged that Darnold has benefited from the Vikings’ infrastructure. He also insisted Darnold has been as responsible for the Vikings’ success as the ...

So it would have been reasonable for outside observers to cringe at Sam Darnold's wild flip of the ball toward running back Aaron Jones Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, not only because it threatened to turn a busted play into a massive turnover,