Vikings at Giants Week 1 Game Preview

1. Darnold’s debut (and return)

For the first time since 2018, the Vikings have a new starter at quarterback.

Veteran Sam Darnold joined Minnesota in the opening days of free agency and has continued increasing his comfort in the system. He’s quickly developed connections with pass catchers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

After a season backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco, Darnold is now ready to make his Vikings debut at MetLife Stadium, where his pro career began as a member of the New York Jets.

“I’m very comfortable with Sam’s comfortability,” Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips said. “He hasn’t had any issues really, that I’ve noticed or that have come up. He’s asked good questions when something does come up in the meeting room. … One thing he’s done is come out and throw the football extremely well. … We’re really excited about Sam and the kind of year we believe he can have and will have.”

Minnesota’s defense also features plenty of newcomers who joined the team via free agency or the draft.

Pat Jones II is the only returnee among 2023 outside linebackers. He’s been joined by veterans Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, former Giant Jihad Ward and first-round pick Dallas Turner, likely diversifying Brian Flores’ plans of attack.

Ivan Pace, Jr., is ready for his second pro season and has been joined by newcomers Blake Cashman and Kamu Grugier-Hill.

The Vikings cornerbacks room has experienced continuous changes throughout the offseason. The most recent addition, Stephon Gilmore, along with Shaq Griffin and Fabian Moreau, have added 360 regular-season games of experience to a room that had limited experience entering 2023.

“I like the group,” Flores said. “We’re still kind of coming together. There’s a lot of new faces there over the course of training camp with Fabian coming in, and then ‘Gilly’ coming in, Shaq going down and coming back, so there’s still a little bit of putting those pieces together, working some of the communication that happens in the back end, along with the safety group we’ve got.”