Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is ineligible to win the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award as he didn't overcome an "illness, physical injury or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season," according to AP Senior NFL writer and insider Rob Maaddi.
Darnold, a former No. 3 overall pick, is currently on pace to have a career season after disappointing stints with the New York Jets (2018-2020) and Carolina Panthers (2021-2022), as well as serving as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers last season.
"#Vikings QB Sam Darnold probably would’ve been a candidate for the Comeback Player of the Year award before the AP issued guidance to voters before the season, instructing them that “the spirit of the award is to honor a player who has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity by overcoming illness, physical injury or other circumstances that led him to miss playing time the previous season.” If he keeps playing at this level, Darnold could end up with another award: Most Valuable Player," Maaddi wrote on his X account Friday (October 11) morning.
Darnold made one start in 2023 in the absence of an injured Brock Purdy and went 21-35 as a starter in the past six seasons. The former USC standout has already thrown for 11 touchdowns -- which is second behind only Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow -- through his first five games, which is less than the career-best 19 he threw in 13 starts during the 2019 season.
The Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs, both of whom are both on their bye week, are the only two remaining NFL undefeated teams.