He helped the Vikings net their 14th victory of the season against Green Bay in Week 17, becoming the first QB in NFL history to record 14 wins in his first season with a team since at least 1950 when QB starts were tracked. (Peyton Manning and Steve McNair previously had 13 apiece.)
Darnold threw for career highs in completions (33) and passing yards (377) against the Packers, adding three passing scores for the second straight week and bringing his total for November and December to 21.
Overall, Darnold was part of tying or breaking 35 records by a Vikings quarterback, either a against a particular opponent or within a game, month or season.
He became the fifth 4,000-yard passer in Vikings history, joining Kirk Cousins (four times), Brett Favre, Daunte Culpepper and Warren Moon (twice).
Darnold is the 13th quarterback to be named the PFWA’s Most Improved Player since the recognition started in 2000. He is the first player to receive the honor as a Viking.
Initially the third overall draft pick in 2018, the former USC standout had a tumultuous start to his pro career. Darnold had 66 games (56 starts) under his belt before joining Minnesota last spring. He was 1,082-of-1,811 (59.7 completion percentage) for 12,064 yards, 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions with a 78.3 passer rating over those games.