As of today, the Vikings QB1 is Sam Darnold, a bust 26-year-old former No. 1 pick out of USC who’s now on his fourth NFL team. Signed to high-end back-up, maybe pinch-starter type money, the Vikings plan to have Darnold compete for the week 1 starter job with whoever they take at QB in next month’s draft.

There aren’t a lot of big time Sam Darnold believers left around football. And while general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is trying to sell Darnold as a legitimate starting option, that his trade up for an additional first round pick could be used for anything, much of the fan base would riot if there isn’t a 2024 Plan A ahead of a guy who hasn’t thrown more than ten touchdowns in a season since 2019.

Travis Kelce is a Sam Darnold believer

But Kansas City Chiefs tight end and future Taylor Swift album inspiration, Travis Kelce, isn’t drinking any of that Sam Darnold Haterade. On the most recent episode of the podcast he does with his brother, retired Eagles center Jason Kelce, titled “New Heights“, Kelce rained support on the new Vikings QB, even going as far as to call him next year’s comeback story.

Travis: “News broke that the Vikings are signing former Niners quarterback Sam Darnold, which is a great sign for them. I think Sam has got a lot of good football left in him. [Darnold] had a tough scenario over there in Carolina but I think he’s due for a comeback story, man. Sam Darnold one-year $10 million contract.”

Jason: “Yep and the Vikings run a similar system to San Fran, where Donald was last year. So this is the second year in the same system.”

Travis: “Yeah, I love their offense.”

New Heights Podcast

After being drafted as the 2016 top overall pick by the New York Jets, Darnold has mostly disappointed. Outside of his one season in San Francisco, however, he’s been in some pretty brutal situations. He was brought into a disaster Jets organization, before eventually being traded to Carolina, where things did not get any better.

Related: Former NFL GM Blown Away by Vikings’ Evaluation Skills and Adaptability Early in Free Agency

Travis Kelce parts with the Sam Darnold conversation with a small, but important piece of advice. Find new tight end target TJ Hockenson early and often. Of course, he won’t be able to find Hock early, since TJ is expected to miss most of training camp and even into the regular season, as he recovers from ACL surgery.

“Sam Darnold shout out to Darnold over there, Sammy getting paid and getting an opportunity. Dude, find [TJ Hockenson] Hawky, Hawk can take you to the promised land, Sam. Find that tight end 87 . Easy to spot, yeah it’s really easy he’s got the hair coming out the dude’s just saucing it up.”

Travis Kelce – New Heights Podcast

Related: Which Teams are Most Likely to Steal the Vikings’ Top QB Target in NFL Draft?

The two Kelce’s also talked about Kirk Cousins, both before and after they talked about Darnold signing in Minnesota. They seem to like Kirk and, much like the rest of the NFL, are impressed by the amount of money he continues to rake in.

Jason, Travis Kelce love playing @ Minnesota Vikings

Meanwhile, Jason, a member of the Eagles, also holds a Super Bowl title earned at U.S. Bank Stadium. It turns out, they both loved their time playing at U.S. Bank Stadium, even if they didn’t always win. Here’s the Kelce brothers speaking highly about the Minnesota Vikings stadium in their most recent podcast episode.

Jason and Travis Kelce had some high praise for the Vikings and their fans!

“That’s a fun place to play, the stadium is beautiful, and their crowd gets f*cking into it” pic.twitter.com/SsQpDbAVTH

— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) February 14, 2024

Jason: “I mean, Vikings are pretty electric, I’ll give them that. And the purple, the purple is nice.”

Travis: “You play in Minnesota, that is a fun place to play in man, it’s a beautiful stadium there. Crowd gets fucking into it, they’re not pricks, they’re not assholes, they just fucking love some good football baby, you gotta respect it.”

Kelce brothers on playing in U.S. Bank Stadium

Related: What is Kevin O’Connell Looking for When Evaluating Vikings Next Franchise QB?

Travis Kelce’s most recent appearance at U.S. Bank Stadium came in Week 5 during this past season on their journey to the Super Bowl. The Chiefs emerged victorious against the Vikings with a score of 27-20, with Kelce catching a touchdown from Patrick Mahomes in the QB’s debut at U.S. Bank.

#Chiefs Travis Kelce comes back in the game and gets the touchdown
Vikings / Niners / Broncos / Cowboys / Chiefs pic.twitter.com/jjHBpy3CkH

— Finelybrewed (@FinelyBrewed) October 9, 2023

Jason Kelce has graced U.S. Bank Stadium with his presence on two separate occasions, notably during his unforgettable Super Bowl showdown against the Patriots in the 2017-18 season.

Two seasons later, he returned but lost to the Vikings in a 38-20 bout. Stefon Diggs was a problem for the Eagles, recording 185 yards from scrimmage with three touchdowns in one of the best games of his Vikings career.

In Week 6 of the 2019 Season, Stefon Diggs had an INSANE performance in the Vikings game vs The Eagles.

-185 Yards From Scrimmage
-3 Touchdowns
-Vikings Blowout Win https://t.co/orzuKshVue pic.twitter.com/Tb52Niyppv

— 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚 (𝙋𝙂) (@verysadvikings) April 21, 2023

It’s cool to see U.S. Bank Stadium get the recognition it deserves, not only by many fans but even by players not on the Vikings. It’s a special place.