There’s an Awkward Truth for the Vikings
When the Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal in March, most considered the man a “patchover” passer to a rookie on the way.
There’s an Awkward Truth for the Vikings
And indeed, the purple team drafted J.J. McCarthy six weeks later, scheduled to take the QB1 baton as early as the 2024 or 2025 regular season.
The two battled it out in training camp for the top job, but McCarthy injured his meniscus in the first preseason game, resulting in a season-long trip to injured reserve. His maiden voyage season was canceled.
So, Darnold took over, immediately thriving out of the gate in 2024, guiding the Vikings to a spiffy 5-0 record and MVP chants for the 27-year-old signal-caller. Thereafter, the bye week arrived, Minnesota lost two straight, and when it rebounded from the losses, Darnold visibly struggled, at least compared to his September pace.
Fast forward to Week 15, and the MVP mentions have reignited, especially after Darnold cooked the Atlanta Falcons, a team led by Kirk Cousins, for 5 passing touchdowns and no turnovers. The performance was so grand, Darnold’s reclamation so bold — that an awkward truth now exists for the Minnesota Vikings.
The team’s front office, plus the fan base, will probably arrive at the 2025 offseason, glance down at Darnold’s 2024 statistics that show 4,300 passing yards, 38 or so touchdowns, and 13 interceptions — and say, “See ya, Sam.”
That’s right. The team starved for a franchise quarterback who can lead the Vikings to the February Promised Land will let a quarterback with 4.300 passing yards and nearly 40 touchdowns walk out the door. That’s the state of play.
Of course, Minnesota could find a method to “have it both ways,” possibly re-signing Darnold at an affordable rate while gradually easing McCarthy into action. But let’s be honest — Darnold deserves a contract worth at least $40 million annually, and the Vikings don’t have that cheddar. Or, if they do, they’d be back in the Kirk Cousins era — paying a non-elite quarterback high-level money and hoping for the best.
The great appeal of McCarthy is the rookie deal for four more years. That — and Minnesota drafted him as the long-term solution. Darnold is the short-term guy.
Yet, no matter how you dice it, the Vikings are on the cusp of willingly letting the guy who produced one of the best quarterback seasons in franchise history go lead a team like the New York Giants or Las Vegas Raiders. They may not even put up a fight if Darnold requests $40+ million.
Awkwardly, his 4300-yard, 38-TD pace is not quite good enough for Minnesota’s long-term and longstanding quarterback conundrum.
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.
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