Surprisingly, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold isn’t floundering against the San Francisco 49ers.
With 9:35 remaining in the second quarter and the Vikings leading 3-0, Darnold launched a pass down the middle of the field to wide receiver Justin Jefferson, which turned into a 97-yard touchdown.
According to CBS Sports’ John Breech, the big play is the longest TD the 49ers have ever allowed.
The Vikings led the 49ers 13-7 at halftime. In the first half, Darnold completed 8-of-15 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also rushed for 34 yards on three carries.
Darnold — the third overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft — has struggled to meet expectations throughout his seven-year career. He posted a 21-34 starting record in the regular season during his first five seasons with the Jets and Panthers.
However, he spent last season in San Francisco with head coach Kyle Shanahan, which may help him improve. On Tuesday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said, “[Darnold] took a lot out of that,” via Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons.
Much like Shanahan, O’Connell is an offensive-minded coach who could help Darnold unlock some of his potential. In a Week 1 28-6 victory over the Giants, the 27-year-old completed 19-of-24 passes for 208 yards, two TDs and one interception.