Sam Darnold did not want to create any controversy.
The 27-year-old quarterback — who has led the Minnesota Vikings to a 4-0 start and is playing the best football of his career — was asked this week whether he thought that the New York Jets had failed him as a young quarterback. The question was timely because Darnold and the Vikings (4-0) will face the Jets (2-2) on Sunday in London.
“I had a lot of opportunities in New York,” Darnold said, “and I always felt like I could’ve played better there.”
Six years after the Jets drafted Darnold at No. 3 overall out of USC, the strong-armed signal-caller has found his footing. He has thrown for 932 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in his first four games with Minnesota. His touchdown total and passer rating (118.9) lead the league heading into Week 5.
A showdown against his former team will not inspire any ill will from Darnold.
“I’m not really thinking about that, to be honest,” Darnold said. “A lot of new faces over there. Still know a few players. I’m sure before the game, maybe after the game, (I’ll see) some of the people that I’ve built really good relationships with. That’s always the fun part about this league, being able to see people that you’ve worked with in the past.
“That’ll be good to see those guys, but other than that, (it’s a) pretty new defense since I’ve been there and a lot of new players.”
The list of new players starts with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who is in his second season with the Jets after spending 18 seasons with one of the Vikings’ biggest rivals in Green Bay.
This is set to be Rodgers’ 30th career game against Minnesota. He is 17-11-1 against the Vikings all time with 7,157 yards, 57 touchdown passes and eight picks in those 29 games.
The 40-year-old has had mixed results so far this season. He has thrown for 849 yards, five touchdowns and one interception, but his team has struggled to find consistency on offense.
Rodgers is expected to play Sunday after he was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. He was a full participant on Thursday and Friday.
If Rodgers is still sore, however, that could prompt the Jets to turn more toward Breece Hall and their running game. Hall has rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns on the season, while rookie teammate Braelon Allen has rushed for 130 yards and one score.
New York will be without right tackle Morgan Moses, who is expected to miss 1-3 more weeks with a sprained MCL he sustained in Week 3. Linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) and defensive lineman Leki Fotu (hamstring) are both doubtful.
T.J. Hockenson is Minnesota’s only player who will miss Sunday’s game. The tight end was limited on Friday in his first practice since suffering a torn ACL on Dec. 24, 2023. Friday marked the start of Hockenson’s 21-day evaluation window.
The Vikings’ ground game is led by Rodgers’ old teammate in Green Bay, Aaron Jones, who has rushed for 321 yards and a touchdown to go with 143 yards receiving with a score. Justin Jefferson is the top threat in the passing game with 20 catches for 358 yards and four scores in four games.
Patrick Jones II (five sacks) and Jonathan Greenard (four) lead the Vikings’ defense.
The Jets’ pass rush is led by Will McDonald IV (five sacks), while Solomon Thomas and Michael Clemons are tied for second with 1.5 each.
The game will be played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London. The Vikings will serve as the host team.
The Vikings are 3-0 in London in their team history. They won in 2013, 2017 and most recently in 2022 when they held off the New Orleans Saints for a 28-25 victory.
The Jets are 1-1 in London. They beat the Miami Dolphins in 2015 and lost to the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.
