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Bill Belichick has shown more personality during the 2024 NFL seasons than he did with his 24 seasons as head coach of the Patriots combined.
The former NFL coach has taken his football knowledge to the media world this season. After the six-time Super Bowl champion and the Patriots elected to part ways after the 2023 season, Belichick went unsigned by the other 31 organizations.
Instead of patrolling the sidelines of an NFL field, he is now frequenting the television in a different capacity, giving his insight on the game as an analyst and guest. One of the most frequent shows he is appearing on is “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN, chatting it up with the former punter and his colleagues.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is one of the biggest topics through the first three weeks of the season. The QB wasn’t supposed to be the starter for Minnesota, but when rookie J.J. McCarthy was ruled out for the reason before it even started, it thrust Darnold into the starting role.
So far, he has thrived, helping the Vikings to a 3-0 start to the season. Belichick went on McAfee’s program to praise the quarterback — while taking a shot at one of his old rivals in the process.
Here’s what Belichick had to say.
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What did Bill Belichick say about Sam Darnold?
Jets fans already have a disdain for Belichick. Between spurring the organization at the last minute in 2000 to making their lives miserable at the helm of the Patriots dynasty, there are plenty of reasons for followers of Gang Green to hold a grudge against the coach.
Well, Belichick added another on Monday. He was on McAfee’s program discussing Darnold and the stellar start to the season for Minnesota. The Vikings improved to 3-0 on Sunday with a win over the Texans, adding to its victories over the 49ers and the Giants.
While giving Darnold his props, he spoke about how much coaching staffs have liked him. Minnesota marks his fourth team in his NFL career, bouncing around the last few seasons. However, there is one club Belichick said “seemed” like they weren’t a Darnold fan.
“I’ll say this — everybody has liked Darnold except the Jets,” Belichick said. “The people in Carolina I talked to, they really liked him. … I know that Kevin [O’Connell] and some of the coaches in Minnesota, they really like this guy, too.
“So it seems like the only people who didn’t like Darnold were the Jets.”
Bill Belichick talking about Sam Darnold:
“Everybody has liked Darnold, expect the Jets.”
(🎥 @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/Ty0aR2BxUL
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 23, 2024
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Belichick did get his NFC West teams mixed up by stating Darnold played for the Rams for a spell, but it was in fact the 49ers where he was a backup. But his point remains — it seems only the Jets weren’t sold on Darnold.
Included in that time with New York was three losses to the Belichick and the Patriots as the starting QB of the Jets, totaling just one touchdown and six interceptions.
After three seasons as New York’s starting QB, the team parted ways with him in 2021, trading him to the Panthers. The Jets finished last in the AFC East twice in those three years and only posted a winning record once, so it’s understandable why a change was made.
Darnold was just one of a number of quarterbacks who failed to turn the Jets around. Now, the early signs show he is thriving with the Vikings.
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Sam Darnold draft
Darnold was drafted with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Jets.
He was the second quarterback taken after Baker Mayfield went No. 1 to the Browns and the third player after Saquon Barkley was selected at No. 2 by the Giants.
How old is Sam Darnold?
Born on June 5, 1997, Darnold is 27 years old. It makes him younger than other NFL starters such as Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, if only by a few months.