Darnold is noted here as a career-best performer with the Vikings last year, illustrating how quarterback movement and system fits can rejuvenate a player’s production. His mention signals the ongoing evolution of the QB market and the impact of coaching ecosystems on fantasy value.

Darnold’s 347-yard, 5-TD outburst last season is cited as a benchmark in this rematch, contrasting with the current QB transition and new passing dynamics.

Darnold serves as a benchmark for rookie trajectory; Brady’s message reframes that the path to similar success is long, underscoring patience for McCarthy and tempering speculative fantasy projections.

Darnold joined Minnesota as a mentor behind McCarthy, providing veteran presence and depth. His leadership could stabilize the rookie’s growth and help safeguard the offense’s rhythm, potentially boosting McCarthy’s late-game resilience and freeing McCarthy to take calculated risks with less pressure.

Darnold is cited as the cautionary tale of premature bust labels, as Jets drafted him No.3 in 2018 and later found a career-year with Minnesota in 2024, illustrating how a fresh setting and coaching can unlock a QB’s potential. The piece frames Fields similarly, hinting at how the right environment could alter his trajectory.