For six seasons, Sam Darnold largely toiled in NFL mediocrity. The 2018 top five draft pick struggled through his first three seasons as the New York Jets starting quarterback, then spent two uninspiring years with the Carolina Panthers and one season as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers.
Very little was expected from Darnold when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and became the starter following a preseason injury to rookie J.J. McCarthy. Most sportsbooks didn't have him on the opening MVP oddsboard and ESPN BET eventually added him at 100-1, with some books listing odds as long as 300-1.