Former NFLer Warns Vikings about Sam Darnold Move
Most Minnesota Vikings fans have commonly accepted that quarterback Sam Darnold will probably play for a new team in 2025.
Former NFLer Warns Vikings about Sam Darnold Move
But that’s a little risky, says ESPN’s Ryan Clark, who played in the NFL for 13 seasons and won a Super Bowl in 2008.
Speaking on ESPN airwaves this week, just 19 days before free agency kicks off, Clark told viewers, “I believe it’s hard to just move on without at least attempting to get Sam Darnold re-signed and have Sam Darnold be the starter headed into the season.”
Darnold should have a healthy free-agent market in March, with teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and New York Jets possibly exploring his resume.
“And as J.J. McCarthy grows and as J.J. McCarthy is more prepared coming off that injury, you move him into the starting lineup,” Clark added.
The Vikings selected McCarthy from Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft 10 months ago, nominating him as the quarterback of the future amid general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s competitive rebuild process. However, McCarthy tore his ACL in August, ending his entire rookie season and paving the way for Darnold to serve as QB1 in 2024.
Darnold responded by producing a year worthy of backdoor MVP consideration, compiling 4,319 passing yards, 36 total touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Vikings were straight cruising with Darnold in charge, boasting a 14-2 record through 16 games.
But then the bottom fell out.
Darnold arrived at Ford Field in Week 18 — and played horribly. Absolutely dreadful stuff. Minnesota lost its claim to the NFC North and all homefield advantage in the playoffs, correspondingly plopped on the road for a Wildcard game against the Los Angeles Rams in Round 1 of the postseason.
Once again, with the lights brightest, Darnold flopped. The Vikings constructed a one-and-done playoff showing after 14 wins in the regular season.
At that moment, Vikings fans decided McCarthy represented the best avenue for the future because — what if they re-signed Darnold and he faltered in the postseason one year later? Everyone had been warned in 2024.
Clark’s theory — retaining Darnold for insurance — would be peachy if Darnold didn’t cost $40 million per year. Some team will pay the veteran passer between $30-$45 million, and for the Vikings, that’s just too rich, especially after ending the Kirk Cousins era, which lasted six seasons.
If Darnold were available for $10 million again, re-upping with him would be wise. But his price tag could quadruple this go-round.
McCarthy’s meniscus recovery has encountered no setbacks, and the 22-year-old is trending to be ready for spring activities.
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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