Oct 4, 2024; Watford, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold at press conference at The Grove. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
If Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold plays like he did last weekend — not like his performance at the Jacksonville Jaguars — he will earn $25-$40 million from some team next season.
And with the Vikings nursing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy back to health, he’s the very vivid plan at QB1 for the future. Minnesota may not have $25-$40 million lying around for Darnold’s wallet.
So, Darnold could have miniature sweepstakes for his 2025 services before too long, likely on deck for another “patchover” quarterback assignment, with some team utilizing him like the Vikings are right now. That’s the safest bet.
Meanwhile, the New York Giants benched passer Daniel Jones this week — probably for good — pivoting to the Tommy DeVito era, which may also give way to the Drew Lock era. Stay tuned. Darnold, with the snap of two fingers, has become a possible option for the Giants in 2025 accordingly.
USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz dropped Darnold firmly into the Giants’ 2025 rumor mill this week and wrote: “His reward for a resurgent season with the Vikings is likely another trip to the open market and his fifth different team in six years. Though he has posted a career-best 100 passer rating, Darnold doesn’t seem to be any threat to hold on to the starting job past this season, with first-round pick J.J. McCarthy expected to take the reins after missing his entire rookie campaign due to a knee injury.”
The Vikings, too, could re-sign Darnold if he realizes his free-agent bidding market whimpered per his expectations. That option will remain open until March — not unlike the Kirk Cousins “will he or won’t he saga” earlier this year.
“After a 5-0 start during which he earned NFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for September, Darnold stumbled a bit and saw his turnover-happy play resurface with a combined five interceptions in wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts,” Middlehurst-Schwartz continued.
“That operating style might only be able to be mitigated rather than eradicated, leaving the Giants to weigh how much risk tolerance they have after enduring Jones’ giveaways. Still, he would surely unlock more in the deep passing attack with his aggressive approach.”
Darnold, of course, will hope to land a job where he doesn’t have to peer over his shoulder at a replacement. But the only team that might offer that avenue could be the Los Angeles Rams if Matthew Stafford retires in January or February. Otherwise, remember that the Miami Dolphins are always one big hit away from needing a QB1.
Mark it down — Darnold to the Giants is the latest offseason theory.
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 Vikings 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.