NFL insider believes Vikings 'clearly' want Sam Darnold back in 2025

Minnesota Vikings v Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota Vikings v Seattle Seahawks | Steph Chambers/GettyImages

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has become one of the NFL’s best comeback stories this season but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini believes it has complicated their long-term plan for 2025.

Russini wrote in a notebook on Saturday that a team source told her that the Vikings want Darnold back in 2025. While the Vikings have J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, Russini believes his season-ending knee back in August has complicated things and could buy Darnold another year in Minnesota.

“While the original plan was for McCarthy to slowly develop into the starting quarterback while Darnold was there to hold the rookie’s place, McCarthy’s injury changed things,” Russini wrote. “Now the Vikings have a problem – Darnold has been almost too good (not in a bad way, but a “this is now complicated” way).”

The Minnesota Vikings have a pricey decision to make with Sam Darnold

Russini led off her notebook by saying that an NFL executive texted her in disbelief when Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract last March. Many fans agreed, as the third overall pick in the 2018 draft had failed in previous stints as a starter with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.

But a year spent with the San Francisco 49ers and head coach Kyle Shanahan prepared him for his opportunity in Minnesota. Darnold has taken the chance and run with it, throwing for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions heading into Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Darnold’s play has also led Minnesota to a 13-2 record and a chance to earn home field advantage in the playoffs for the first time since 1998. Spotrac estimates Darnold will earn a four-year, $141.7 million contract in free agency next spring.

The Minnesota Vikings have options with Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy in 2025

While Darnold’s play has created a “good problem” for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, it also gives him options heading into next year.

Russini suggests one option is to franchise tag Darnold. The move would cost the Vikings $41.3 million next season according to Over The Cap’s projection, but it would also buy time for the Vikings to work out a short-term deal.

The move would also buy time for McCarthy to develop with on-field reps after missing his rookie season due to injury and potentially set up a competition for the starting job in training camp. While McCarthy has been around the building, Russini reports that McCarthy has yet to be medically cleared as he recovers from a torn meniscus and buying time wouldn’t be a bad thing citing the Packers’ development plan with Jordan Love.

Love is an extreme example since he sat behind Aaron Rodgers for three seasons before becoming the starter in 2023. The plan has worked as Love has led the Packers to an 11-4 record this season and signed a four-year, $220 million contract extension last summer. 

While the quarterback situation is interesting, the Vikings have a taller task beating Love and the Packers on Sunday. If that happens, Darnold’s stock will continue to rise and give the Vikings a lot to think about heading into 2025.

Schedule