NFL - The Athletic on Sam Darnold

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No qualifying quarterback has gotten more support from his defense and special teams than Darnold has from Minnesota and Seattle over the past two seasons (8.0 EPA per start, according to TruMedia).
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28-6 record with elite defense/special teams support; best when running game strong.

Darnold has received exceptional support from his defense and special teams with Minnesota and Seattle over the past two seasons (8.0 EPA per start, leading among 33 qualifying quarterbacks). He ranks first among those quarterbacks in regular-season win rate with a 28-6 starting record (.824). An exec noted: "Sam is at his best when you run the ball, play defense and then he's not in position to turn the ball over, but when his number is called, he can make big plays. If they don't start running the football, they probably don't win the Super Bowl." A former GM defended Darnold's path: "People are too quick to quit on guys because it's easier to quit on them than take the heat and the bullets to stay with them when you're not winning and they are turning the ball over. The guy has always had the talent."

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