Vikings helmet Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Following the departure of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, the Minnesota Vikings signed former top-five pick Sam Darnold where he will presumably get another chance as a starting quarterback. And even though his career has not played out the way many expected, it sounds like the Vikings still have a lot of faith in him.

During an interview at the NFL’s annual league meetings this week, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed confidence in Sam Darnold as the team’s likely starting quarterback this offseason.

“I think his best football is ahead of him because of how he’s handled the last couple of years,” O’Connell said on NFL Network according to Pro Football Talk. “Whether it’s going 4-2 down the stretch in Carolina in ’22, or when you turn on the tape of his work in San Francisco, you can tell Kyle, Brian Griese, they did a great job in the next phase of his career. Fundamentals, techniques, things that you look for to see growth. I’m excited to get going with Sam.”

Darnold was selected with the No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets back in 2018, but he has failed to consistently find starting roles in the NFL. We’ll see if that changes with the Vikings.

[Pro Football Talk]