Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has led the Purple and Gold to a stellar 2024 season, but it seems that doesn’t mean his future with the team is certain. According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the quarterback has not had any discussions with the Vikings to extend his one-year contract and is currently scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Despite the success he had had replacing Kirk Cousins, whom he is facing off against today, Sam Darnold and the Vikings have not had any discussions regarding a long-term contract, per sources. Darnold is scheduled to be a free agent after this season. pic.twitter.com/cWQlwzWglK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2024
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Darnold is playing on a one-year, $10 million contract and assumed the starting quarterback role for the Vikings after rookie J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, was sidelined with a torn meniscus in his right knee and placed on injured reserve in August.
Former QB Kirk Cousins left the Vikings to sign a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons and, with McCarthy’s impressive college career at Michigan—culminating in a national championship—it seemed inevitable that he would be the starter. After all, the Vikings had selected him as their quarterback of the future, and the timing of Cousins’ departure to the Atlanta Falcons lined up perfectly for a new era in Minnesota.
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Then McCarthy was lost for the season before it even began. With the rookie out, the Vikings were forced to turn to Darnold as their starter, a position he had not anticipated filling when he signed with the team.
Things turned out pretty well, despite that. Darnold, who was selected third overall in the 2018 draft, is enjoying the best season of his career, leading the Vikings to a 10-2 record. As of Week 13, he ranks fifth in the NFL with 23 touchdown passes and boasts a passer rating of 102.5, good for seventh.
His strong play has not only propelled Minnesota to the brink of securing a playoff spot but also kept the 12-1 Detroit Lions within striking distance for both the NFC North title and the top overall seed.
At first glance, it might seem surprising that the Vikings have not discussed a long-term contract with Darnold, considering he has been a league standout for the season.
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On the other hand, with the kind of season that Darnold has had, he is in an extremely advantageous position to bargain for a huge, multi-year contract with the franchise of his choice, especially as teams like the New York Giants and the New York Jets are currently dealing with QB drama of their own.
It is possible that the Vikings are holding back on negotiations with Darnold, but, unless they speak up quickly, they could be losing one of the NFL’s top QBs to free agency soon.
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