Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2024 NFL season, exceeding expectations after stepping into the starting role. Darnold, a journeyman veteran, was thrust into action after Vikings rookie QB JJ McCarthy tore his meniscus during a preseason win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Since then, Darnold has not only filled in but thrived, delivering a standout performance that has helped Minnesota jump to a 5-0 start.
The 27-year-old quarterback has been lights out, completing a career-high 63.5% of his passes, amassing 1,111 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. His efficient play has stabilized the Vikings’ offense and turned them into a serious contender in the NFC North.
Given his remarkable turnaround from his previous stints as a backup with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, fans have begun to float the idea that Darnold could be a frontrunner for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
However, there’s one significant hurdle that could prevent Darnold from claiming that honor. Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press, the organization responsible for the award, tweeted a crucial clarification that could impact Darnold’s candidacy.
According to Maaddi, the AP issued guidance to voters before the season, stating that the award is meant to “honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury, or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season.”
While Darnold has certainly revitalized his career in 2024, he doesn’t quite fit that specific definition. He hasn’t missed significant playing time due to injury or illness in previous seasons, instead spending the last two years primarily as a backup in Carolina and San Francisco.
Though his rise from backup to starting quarterback is impressive, it may not align with the spirit of the award, which focuses on players overcoming physical or personal adversity.
Some fans believe the clarification about the Comeback Player of the Year award’s criteria came after controversy in 2023, when veteran quarterback Joe Flacco won the honor over Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Flacco returned from semi-retirement to lead the Cleveland Browns to a playoff run, while Hamlin’s return to the field was nothing short of miraculous, following his on-field cardiac arrest in 2022. However, Hamlin’s reduced role with the Bills in 2023 might have factored into voters’ decision.
As for Darnold, he could still garner attention for another accolade—Most Valuable Player (MVP)—if he continues his impressive performance.
While it’s unlikely that the Comeback Player of the Year award will go his way, especially with the AP’s new guidelines pointing voters toward players with more personal adversity, Darnold’s resurgence might still earn him recognition for his pivotal role in the Vikings’ success this season.
Ultimately, while the AP guidelines tend to steer voters in a specific direction, they are still allowed to vote for whoever they choose. Whether Darnold takes home an award or not, his breakout 2024 season has undoubtedly put him back in the spotlight as a key player in the NFL.
