MVP candidate Sam Darnold can show the Jets what they’re missing in Week 5

That’s pretty much what New York Jets fans imagined when their team selected quarterback Sam Darnold No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Darnold is thriving as the starting signal-caller for an undefeated team, but it’s not Gang Green. Three years after the Jets gave up on the former franchise building block, the outcast has seized an unexpected opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings.

“He’s doing a good job. He made a lot of plays. “They really took advantage of some advantageous situations that they found themselves in, but he did a really good job,” said head coach Robert Saleh, who must prepare the Jets to face Darnold and the Vikings in the NFL International Series on Sunday.

Saleh never coached Darnold, who was replaced the same offseason the Jets made the head coaching change.

To say that Darnold is “doing a good job” in the first quarter of the 2024 schedule is a bit of an understatement. He has become one of the favorites for NFL MVP honors and leads the league in touchdown passes (11) and quarterback rating (118.9). The 27-year-old Darnold is completing 69 percent of passes while averaging 8.8 yards per attempt.

While the Jets’ offense struggled in their season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, 32-19, Darnold accounted for 300 yards of offense and two touchdown passes in a 23-17 victory over the defending NFC champions a week later.

“Sam is brave. He’s tough. He has tremendous arm talent,” Saleh said.

The Sports News Senior writer Vinnie Iyer explained why Darnold’s MVP search will likely continue.

Why Sam Darnold can continue to play well for the Vikings

Justin Jefferson is great and Jordan Addison, a dynamic second-year first-rounder, has just returned to the lineup to make big plays. Jalen Nailor also played a key role whenever he was used as a third option. TJ Hockenson is on track to return by late October or early November as another key field stretch and red zone target to support the offense.

Darnold should also become more familiar with Kevin O’Connell and Josh McCown as his trusted braintrust members. The Jets’ defense will be a big challenge in a revenge game in London, but the Vikings’ defense can also have a big impact on the outcome against Aaron Rodgers, whose team just lost at home to the Broncos. — Vinnie Iyer

More New York Jets news:

• Aaron Rodgers’ injury status in Week 5 is different than originally expected

• The Jets slip in the NFL power rankings and head to London after a troubling loss in Denver

• Raiders have what Aaron Rodgers and Jets desperately need

• The Jets’ defense is about to get a much-needed boost from injured reserve

• The Jets’ highly touted rookie was surprisingly buried in extremely low snap counts