Questions Answered: The Sam Darnold “Dilemma,” Gabriel Murphy, Vikings Playoff Scenario
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the December 9th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: The Sam Darnold “Dilemma,” Gabriel Murphy, Vikings Playoff Scenario
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: If Sam Darnold is playing this damn well, wouldn’t the Vikings be absolutely silly not to bring him back for 2025?
Answer: No, they wouldn’t be silly to retain Darnold. But it may not be financially feasible.
If the Vikings pay Darnold market value in 2025 and beyond — $40-$50 million per season — they’re right back to where they were from 2018 to 2023. And that’s hoping to construct a roster for Super Bowl contention while employing a good-but-not-elite passer.
Some fans absolutely hated that with Kirk Cousins.
Plus, they drafted J.J. McCarthy for a reason — the long-term solution at quarter. They didn’t choose McCarthy as an undrafted free agent who could perhaps sniff playing time down the road. He’s their number-one-with-a-bullet fix at QB1.
The Darnold question shouldn’t be framed as Minnesota casting him aside in 2025. It’s whether he deserves top-tier money when the Vikings have an affordable rookie ready to take the reins.
Q: I saw that Gabriel Murphy played a lot on Sunday. Is he on the roster to stay?
Answer: When Patrick Jones II and Ivan Pace Jr. return, Murphy’s playing time will probably dwindle.
Murphy played 28 defensive snaps, or 37% of the time, in his debut, an impressive mark because handing the man 10 or so snaps to ease him in would’ve been a fair outlook. To a degree, Minnesota ripped the band-aid off and allotted Murphy some trial by fire.
The newcomer logged a tackle, a quarterback hit, and a commendable 69.5 Pro Football Focus grade, which is more than satisfactory for one’s first NFL game.
He played great for a rookie — an undrafted one, at that.
But Jones II and Pace Jr. will eat into his newfound playing time.
Q: Do the Vikings just have to win on Monday Night Football to get in the playoffs?
Answer: Yes. That’s it.
If the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams four days before that, Minnesota would clinch a spot four days before MNF.
It’s that simple. The magic number is one — a Rams loss or Vikings win.
ESPN Names Vikings’ Likely QB1 in 2025
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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