Sam

Darnold

Speaking Thursday, Adofo-Mensah said he didn’t want to give reports “the stock answer” only to proceed to do exactly that. It was to be expected from a GM whose team just saw its season end in devastating fashion less than 72 hours ago. Mensah was diplomatic in his response regarding Darnold and his future with the Vikings, saying the team needs to look into how things fit into their “long-term picture” while adding that he believes they have “a lot of good options.” Darnold played at levels few thought possible in 2024, throwing for 4319-35-12 while leading the team to a 14-3 record and within one game of winning the NFC North. That said, rookie J.J. McCarthy is expected to be healthy at the start of next season, and the team just used the No. 10 overall pick on him in last year’s draft. They’ll undoubtedly want to get a look at him, and McCarthy looked good in the preseason before his injury. The Vikings have a lot to figure out. If they don’t want to offer a big contract to Darnold, they could hit him with a franchise tag in hopes of working out a trade with another team to get something back in return. Teams have until 4:00 PM EST on March 4 to determine whether or not they want to tag a player. We’ll learn more about discussions between Darnold and the team in the months to come, but the tag deadline could become something to watch if they aren’t able to agree to a new deal or wish to move on from him in favor of McCarthy.

Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million deal with the Buccaneers last offseason, while Geno Smith signed a three-year, $75 million contract prior to the 2023 season. While watching Darnold destruct against the Rams last night was horrifying, he definitely waltzes into the offseason as the best quarterback available in free agency. If the Vikings can retain him on a contract similar to Mayfield’s, perhaps one that only carries some guarantees in 2026 as the team figures out what the J.J. McCarthy looks like, that’d probably be better for the organization than relying purely on a quarterback who couldn’t practice with the team all season because of injury.

Darnold was under duress throughout, eventually leading to an NFL-record nine sacks in the Wildcard loss to the Rams. He notably failed to complete a pass directed towards alpha wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the second half on three targets. One of his nine sacks taken resulted in a fumble that was housed by the Rams defense, which occurred in a seven-point game in the second quarter. It is fair to question whether Darnold has attempted his last pass as a member of the Vikings considering the offense managed just 18 points in their final two games in 2024, scoring just nine against the Lions in Week 18 to fall to the five seed and nine against the Rams in the Wildcard Round. Darnold’s contract is set to expire this offseason. Although the team finished the regular season with a stellar 14-3 record, a one-and-done in the postseason could have the franchise looking elsewhere at quarterback, potentially turning to J.J. McCarthy in 2025. Darnold’s year ends with a Pro Bowl selection after throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.

Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn had all the answers in this one, holding the Vikings to just 262 yards of total offense and nine points while placing Darnold in consistent duress. The Vikings managed just three points on three first half red zone drives, with two turnovers on downs seeing the team take a 10-3 deficit into the break. The second half was an entirely different story as the Lions completely clamped down on their opponent while scoring 21 points themselves, sending the Vikings into the Wildcard Round for a road date with the Rams, who were one of only two teams to beat the Vikings this season (lost twice to the Lions).

The Browns will have Deshaun Watson under contract next season, but the belief is he’ll “never play a meaningful down” for the team ever again. The Browns could kick the tires on a rookie signal-caller next season, but according to a source who spoke with Fowler, any quarterback “with starter’s talent” will be looked at — including guys like Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, unsurprisingly. They also won’t rule out bringing back Jameis Winston, who threw for 2121-13-12 in the 12 games he appeared in this season. Quarterback is one of several needs the Browns will need to address this offseason, but it’s arguably their biggest. According to Over the Cap, the Browns are roughly $17 million over the cap, but they’ll push some numbers around to get under the cap before free agency. It’s sure to be an interesting offseason in Cleveland, with potential staff changes also incoming after they conclude their season on Saturday against the Ravens.

This is most notable because if Jones were to be added to the 53-man roster and later sign somewhere else this offseason, the Vikings would receive a compensatory pick in return. Jones signed a one-year deal with the Vikings after being released by the Giants in late November. The veteran signal-caller could have multiple suitors next offseason if the Vikings don’t re-sign him, and given their current situation with Sam Darnold and first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, he may find better opportunities to start elsewhere.

Darnold’s interception came when he tried to fit a ball between two defenders on a flag route from T.J. Hockenson. Outside of that, it was an outstanding effort from Darnold in a game the Vikings essentially dominated from the start. That’s his sixth game with at least three passing scores, and he was spreading the ball around with eight different receivers catching passes. Darnold and the Vikings now have a massive contest against the Lions in Week 18 that will determine who gets homefield advantage in the NFC. Darnold is truly deserving of MVP consideration for his work in 2024 no matter what happens in that game.

This marks Darnold’s fifth game of 2024 with at least three touchdown passes. He was erratic at times against the Seahawks and struggled under pressure — taking a couple big hits while standing strong in the pocket — but Darnold targeted Justin Jefferson early and often, connecting for two scores with J-Jeff, including the game winner. Darnold also hit Jordan Addison for a touchdown in the red zone. Darnold in Week 17 will go against a Green Bay defense that gave up 275 yards and three touchdowns to Darnold in Week 4. He’ll be a top-12 fantasy option.

The interception was forgivable as it happened on a fourth-down go and actually gained the Vikings some field position. Darnold threaded a good throw here or there, and the Vikings converted a lot of early third-and-longs on a deep-zone heavy Bears defense. For the most part, it was actually Chicago’s pass rush subduing him as Darnold took two sacks while right tackle Brian O’Neill spent the game shuttling back-and-forth between the locker room with an apparent knee injury. Justin Jefferson cost him (and Jefferson) a second likely touchdown with a drop near the five-yard-line in the second quarter. Darnold didn’t exactly light the world on fire, but he at least managed to mostly keep the Vikings out of harm’s way in a game where they were only up 13-0 until the end of the third quarter. A game against a surging Seahawks defense, but one that possibly will be trying to back an extremely rough-looking Sam Howell, will confusingly keep Darnold near the QB1 line for Week 16.

According to Seifert, sources have told the team is “more open-minded about their 2025 plans than many realize” in regards to Darnold and the possibility of bringing him back. Darnold has experience a career resurgence with the Vikings, throwing for 3299-28-10 on the season while inserting himself in the MVP conversation. Darnold won’t win the MVP, but he has already set himself for a handsome pay day next offseason. The Vikings have rookie J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, which has led many to believe Darnold would be allowed to walk next offseason, but that may not entirely be the case. With three weeks left in the regular season and the playoffs ahead of them, the Vikings still have plenty of time left to assess their future with/without Darnold. Regardless of where he lands, it will be an interesting offseason for the former No. 3 overall pick.