Kevin O’Connell expresses belief in new QB Sam Darnold

Is Sam Darnold’s best football ahead of him? Kevin O’Connell believes it is

Earlier this month, the Minnesota Vikings moved to fill the void left by Kirk Cousins in part by signing quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year deal. While it’s been made pretty clear — through various Vikings’ brass’ comments along with the contract structure itself — that Darnold is seen as a bridge quarterback, at least one person within the Vikings organization believes Darnold can give the team some quality play in that time.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stated in an interview with NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport, and Mike Garafolo that be believes that Darnold’s “best football is ahead of him”, specifically pointing to how he went 4-2 down the stretch with the Carolina Panthers in 2021.

O’Connell also pointed to Darnold’s work with the San Francisco 49ers and how it’s clear to him that Darnold has put in a lot of work to make progressions as a quarterback. O’Connell believes that the staff with the Vikings can “pick up” where Darnold left of in San Francisco and continue to develop him.

Darnold was a top-5 pick of the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft and spent four years as the starter in New York before landing with the Panthers and then 49ers, in mostly back-up roles. Now Darnold finds himself in Minnesota and is likely going to be the starter heading into the early part of the season while a rookie gets acclimated to the system and league.

Whether or not Darnold starts the entire season remains to be seen, but it’s clear he has at least one person in his corner to start his tenure.

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Ian Rapoport hints Broncos will stick with Jarrett Stidham instead of trading up for QB

Ian Rapoport thinks the Broncos are more likely to stick with Jarrett Stidham than to trade up for a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft.

During an appearance on NFL+ last week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was asked by Daniel Jeremiah if the Denver Broncos (No. 12) or Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13) are more likely to trade up for a quarterback during the 2024 NFL draft.

Rapoport indicated the Raiders are more likely to move up the board, and he hyped up Jarrett Stidham as a possible starter for the Broncos this season.

“Sean Payton has won with a lot of quarterbacks who are not as good as Jarrett Stidham,” Rapoport said. “You know, I do think they’ll add a quarterback, but I don’t know that the urgency is there. Because he’s so good that I think they say, ‘You know what, we can take some raw materials and he [Payton] will get that person to perform.”

Stidham went 1-1 as a starter last season, completing 60.6% of his passes for 496 yards with two touchdowns against one interception. He was sacked seven times in those two contests and Denver averaged 15 points per game.

While it’s possible this notion of sticking with Stidham is accurate, it’s worth noting that Rapoport works for NFL Network, the league’s in-house media network. He works for the NFL and its 32 teams, including the Broncos.

Denver has seemingly used NFL Network (and Rapoport) in the past to put out information the team wanted known. In 2017, as a potential example, Rapoport reported that the Broncos had “received calls” about safety T.J. Ward. In reality, the team wanted to trade Ward but ended up cutting him when no team was interested in making a deal.

So Rapoport’s reporting — and informed takes presented as guesswork — should be taken with a grain of salt. There’s always the possibility that NFL Network is saying what Denver’s front office wants the network to say.

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Aaron Jones stiffs Packers, gets more money with Vikings

Aaron Jones signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a 1-year, $7 million deal that includes a $6 million base salary and $1 million incentives.

The Minnesota Vikings struggled mightily in the ground game all throughout the 2023 season, but help is on the way. A day after being released by the Green Bay Packers, running back Aaron Jones has agreed to terms with the Vikings on a one-year deal, the terms of which are now being reported.

According to Matt Schneidman, Packers beat reporter for The Athletic, the deal includes a $6 million base salary, with additional incentives totaling $1 million, to bring the potential total up to $7 million, as was initially reported by NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Schneidman goes on to illuminate on why Jones ultimately chose the Vikings over re-signing with the Packers, showing that the Packers’ offer to Jones was for base salary just under $4 million, but had a bump in incentives to $2 million.

Ultimately, Jones chose the higher base salary and will be running for the purple and gold next season, joining Brett Favre, Greg Jennings and a handful of other Packers who went on to don the Vikings colors.

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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport breaks down long week for Bills (video)

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport breaks down long week for #Bills (video):

The Buffalo Bills had a crazy week. All-Pros are no longer with the teams after being released because of salary cap restraints.

Fan favorites got the axe, too.

Cuts weren’t just apart of the operation, either. Pass rusher Von Miller took a pay cut and other players restructured their deals.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport did his best to breakdown all that happened at One Bills Drive this week.

Rap Sheets analysis can be found below:

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Report: Matt Eberflus expected to return as Bears head coach in 2024

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero expect the Bears to keep Matt Eberflus as head coach for the 2024 season.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus’ seat might be cooling off as the end of the season draws closer. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the Bears are expected to retain Eberflus for next season as the team’s head coach with a strong finish over the final two games.

In the report, Rapoport said he “would be surprised as of right now if Eberflus was not back” for the Bears. Rapoport also said he has heard “nothing but positive vibes from Chicago” regarding the coach.

Eberflus was hired in 2022 as general manager Ryan Poles’ first move of his tenure. He slogged through a 3–14 season, and after a disastrous start to his second year, calls for his job became loud and frequent. But to Eberflus’ credit, he’s helped level the ship and get the team on track by playing better football. The Bears are 4-2 in their last six games and are looking to finish the year on a high note.

With two games to go in the season, Eberflus’ future will become crystal clear. But it looks like he’s on track for at least one more season as head coach.

Jets talked to Carson Wentz, declined to offer contract, further supporting Zach Wilson

The Jets could have brought in veteran quarterback Carson Wentz. They declined to do so and remain committed to Zach Wilson.

The Jets have consistently been supportive of quarterback Zach Wilson despite their offseason pursuit of Aaron Rodgers and their recent offensive struggles this season with Wilson back under center.

The latest chapter of that story came recently, via a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Jets recently talked with veteran quarterback Carson Wentz. That’s all that ended up happening. The Jets never offered Wentz a contract, per Rapoport. Wentz has since signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

It was Wentz’s side that checked in with the Jets following Monday’s 27-6 loss to the Chargers, a game in which Wilson was sacked eight times.

The Jets had considered Wentz in the past, but are sticking to their guns with Wilson and never made a contract offer to the former Eagles, Colts and Commanders quarterback. Wentz is now backing up Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles.

New York continues to believe Wilson gives them the best chance to win among their current options. Wilson gets another chance to revive his play Sunday night against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Marcus Davenport could be placed on injured reserve

After injuring his other ankle, Davenport could find himself on injured reserve

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Marcus Davenport could be placed on injured reserve. He suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday against the Chicago Bears and could be out upward of four to six weeks.

Davenport received the injury from an accidental leg whip from a teammate. It was worth noting that the injury was on the opposite leg from the injury he suffered before week one.

“Marcus Davenport does have an ankle injury,” said O’Connell. “We are still going through the evaluation here this morning and the afternoon on exactly the extent of that injury. It is definitely something we are going to have to really, really take a look at from a medical standpoint.”

If the Vikings are without Davenport for any period of time, that could hinder their pass rush greatly. In his 77 pass rush snaps, Davenport has seven pressures and two sacks while also making an impact in holding blocks for blitzers.

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Browns: NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport talks about Deshaun Watson’s injury timeline

The Insider breaks down Watson’s injury timeline

The Cleveland Browns have now made it official, ruling out quarterback Deshaun Watson for the second straight game. It has been a roller coaster for Watson and the Browns from when the team thought he would play against the Ravens until now ruling him out against the San Francisco 49ers.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport broke down the timeline and explained how though Watson is medically cleared the team doesn’t think he can play at a high level right now. He said Watson and the team were optimistic the injury would get better and so far it just hasn’t which leads to another missed game.

If Watson is unable to drive the ball over 10 yards downfield and there is a risk to make the injury worse he shouldn’t play against this 49ers defense. The team is hopeful of course that he will return to face the Colts on the road next week but the team continues to list him as day-to-day at this time.

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Browns: Greg Newsome II judges the fit of Ian Rapoport on NFL Network

Greg Newsome II made an appearance on The Insiders and shut down Ian Rapoport’s style

Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II appeared on NFL Network’s The Insiders, hosted by Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo, and Tom Pelissero, to boast about the Browns’ defensive success. Offenses weren’t the only thing Newsome II was talking about shutting down. Ian Rapoport came under the crosshairs of Newsome II after Mike Garafolo asked him to judge Rapoport’s outfit.      

Ian Rapoport’s outfit wasn’t professional enough for the dapper Newsome who said Rapoport looked like he was on vacation. Watch the funny interaction below.

While I like Rapoport’s shark print polo, I have to agree with Newsome II it’s lacking in decorum. Ian Rapoport should save the business casual for Friday like the rest of us. Jokes aside, make sure to watch Newsome II’s segment on The Insiders. The starting cornerback and the crew have an entertaining time talking about the Browns’ fun-loving defense.

The vibes around the Browns feel extremely positive going into Monday night’s game against the Steelers.

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Report: Ian Rapoport doesn’t think anything is imminent with Nick Bosa and 49ers

In a recent interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Ian Rapoport spoke about the contract situation between the 49ers and All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa.

With the Trey Lance saga coming to an end, the San Francisco 49ers still have business to attend to with one of their star players. As he seeks a new mega contract with the 49ers, Nick Bosa has been holding out of training camp.

With the start of the season a little under two weeks away, Bosa’s holdout with the 49ers doesn’t seem to be coming to an end soon. In an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Ian Rapoport says he doesn’t get the sense that anything is imminent with the All-Pro pass rusher and the 49ers.

However, Rapoport says the 49ers’ offer is “substantial” and he’s confident that his looming deal will make him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL.

Listen to Rappaport’s full explanation via @PatMcAfeeShow on Twitter:

Bosa is coming off a Defensive Player of the Year campaign, racking up a league-high 18.5 sacks along with 19 tackles for loss and 48 quarterback hits.

In four seasons, Bosa has earned bids to the Pro Bowl three times, along with being named to the NFL All-Pro team once. Bosa has spent his entire career with San Francisco after being drafted by the 49ers with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

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