Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has revived his career since signing a one-year contract with the organization, but is yet to receive any assurances over next season.
The Vikings are enjoying a stunning season and are currently 11-2 with Darnold at quarterback, with the 27-year-old displaying the type of performance that justifies his third-overall pick back in 2018. Darnold was drafted by the New York Jets but moved on in 2021 when the organization selected BYU quarterback Zach Wilson in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers and spent two seasons on the roster, before joining the San Francisco 49ers to act as Brock Purdy’s backup last season. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings this past offseason, and it’s proven to be a genius move from Minnesota’s front office.
However, according to ESPN, Darnold and the Vikings have not held formal discussions regarding a long-term contract, and it’s expected that the quarterback will be a free agent after this season. The Vikings are still waiting to unleash J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, and he remains their franchise option.
Darnold has enjoyed the best season of his career, not only by helping the Vikings keep pace with the Detroit Lions at the top of the NFC North, but individually too. Darnold has completed 264 of 386 passes this season for 3,299 yards and 28 touchdowns, achieving the highest QBR of his career (108.1).
The 27-year-old will surpass his career-high in completions and attempts in the coming weeks, and will certainly be one of the top free agents should he depart the Vikings. Minnesota used its 10th overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft on McCarthy, although he’s yet to make his debut.
McCarthy recently underwent a minor, nonsurgical procedure as he recovers from a torn meniscus, an injury which has forced him to miss his rookie season. But belief in McCarthy is high, and financially the Vikings may take a risk.
Given the market and Darnold’s performances, he could be in line for a multi-million extension over several years, but sticking with McCarthy would mean the Vikings can save major cap space due to having a young quarterback on seven figures per year. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is excited to work with McCarthy, and the plan remains clear.
“As our fans either have already come to find out or will in the future, this guy is so motivated and so dialed in,” O’Connell said ahead of this season. “As excited as I was to draft him, he’s confirmed everything that I hoped to see.
“Our fan base and everyone should be excited about the fact that we’ve got our young franchise quarterback in the building. Now it’s about the unique aspect of continuing a very critical development process for him, where maybe the physical reps aren’t going to be there in the short term.
“This is going to be a small bump in the road. Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things early on in their journey and came back stronger and better than ever, and I know that is going to happen for J.J.”
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