Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Sam Darnold had a miserable end to the 2024-2025 season. He was the driving force behind one of the league’s best offenses through 16 weeks, but then the final two weeks happened. Darnold played miserably in Week 18 on the road against the Detroit Lions. The stakes of the game could not have been any higher. With home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs hanging in the balance, Darnold laid an egg.
He was 18-of-41 with 166 passing yards and no touchdowns. The Minnesota Vikings were drubbed 31-9 by the Lions. Darnold’s performance last night against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card Round was nearly as bad. He finished 25-of-40 with 245 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was also sacked a career-high nine times. Minnesota was embarrassed 27-9 as the offense never found its rhythm and Minnesota’s season came to an abrupt end. With Darnold set to become a free agent this offseason, will he remain a member of the Minnesota Vikings?
Minnesota Vikings Face a QB Conundrum
Darnold was one of the league’s best quarterbacks during the regular season and may appear on NFL MVP ballots next month. He was fifth in the league in passing yards and touchdown passes during the regular season. His performance until the final weeks of the season would have assuredly given Darnold a lucrative contract to be Minnesota’s quarterback in 2025 and possibly longer.
The team must now reassess its quarterback situation and determine if Darnold is more like the player he was through 16 games or the one that struggled in the final two games of the year. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has mentioned on multiple occasions, including following last night’s crushing loss, his affinity and trust in Darnold. To be fair, the head coach also supported Quarterback Kirk Cousins following the 2023-2024 season, and he was not re-signed by the team a few months later.
Darnold was signed by the Minnesota Vikings to be the backup quarterback to rookie J.J. McCarty. He suffered a season-ending torn meniscus which thrust Darnold into the starting spot. Darnold was looked at as damaged goods due to his struggles over the first six seasons of his career. Those woes were seemingly behind him until the games against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams.
Final Thoughts
The Minnesota Vikings must not let two terrible games overshadow the best season of Darnold’s career. Darnold, wherever he ends up signing, will do so at a sizable discount from what he would have earned a few weeks ago. Minnesota should bring back Darnold on a short-term deal at a discount. If those terms are met, he is the right decision for the team at quarterback. If the quarterback wants too rich of a contract, they should let him walk.
The argument for signing Darnold boils down to the fact that he is a known commodity in the Minnesota Vikings system. With a talented supporting cast, he should be able to have another successful season in O’Connell’s offense. No one knows how McCarthy would fare under center for Minnesota and the type of player he will be following a brutal injury. Minnesota should bring back Sam Darnold and not let a few poor games overshadow a 14-3 season led by the best year of the quarterback’s career.
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