Some Minnesota Vikings fans are less than thrilled about their favorite team reportedly agreeing to a contract with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold.
Following the report of Kirk Cousins leaving town to sign with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, the Minnesota Vikings reportedly decided to replace his spot in their quarterback room with former San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Sam Darnold.
After he was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Darnold's time in the league hasn't exaclty gone as expected.
However, the Vikings clearly feel that he is good enough to help them accomplish some of the plans the team has for the quarterback position in the near future.
Fans "losing confidence" in Minnesota Vikings GM after Sam Darnold signing
Minnesota and Darnold were able to agree to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million on Monday. But judging from some of the reactions by Vikings fans on Twitter, one might be led to believe they just signed the former top draft pick to a lucrative, multi-year contract.
Just FYI..... I don't believe Sam will beat out Mullens for QB1. That QB signing of Sam clearly demonstrates the incompetence of KAM at the GM position. He knew we were losing KC8 4 weeks ago and he did nothing. I am losing confidence in KAM very quickly. Draft is coming
— Craige (@purplelove021) March 12, 2024
🚨 Kwesi and the Pile of $10 Million he just gave Sam Darnold. Nick Mullens has better stats, the same turnover issues and cost 5 times less.
— Dave - Minnesota Sports Talk (@SKOLWorld) March 12, 2024
🚨 Don’t tell me I am wrong Prove me I am wrong.
🚨 100%Rather have a rookie start day 1 or have Mullens be the bridge than Darnold.
🚨 I… pic.twitter.com/UoFEkshDhp
Sam Darnold has been on 4 teams in 7 years and people think he’s going to magically turn good with the Vikings? Keep dreaming…
— Vikeologist™ (@Vikeologist) March 12, 2024
This is your new starting QB, Vikings fans. You don’t pay $10m to a backup—well, you shouldn’t, anyway.
— Paul Charchian (@PaulCharchian) March 12, 2024
Funny how inexpensive the QB position can be when you sign a player nobody else would dare put under center.
I’ve been told one thousand times, “wins are a quarterback… https://t.co/14mAMfeQWa
Well, it beats lighting $10 million on fire, I guess.
— The Daily Norseman ░V░I░K░ I░N░G░S░ ░I░N░ ░B░I░0░ (@DailyNorseman) March 12, 2024
Not by much, but it does. https://t.co/NbFNzldEor
JJ I don’t blame you when you choose to leave 😂 https://t.co/J4r9G7rbAa
— KWESI CAN’T COOK (@SKOL4x4) March 12, 2024
I’m throwing up as we speak. EW EW EW EW. https://t.co/11qtwg4xdO
— 𝙆𝙖𝙨𝙚 (𝙋𝙂) (@verysadvikings) March 12, 2024
As you can see, Vikings fans are having totally normal reactions to the team signing a quarterback who is likely only going to start a few games for them next season, at the very most.
For some reason, some haven't realized that the addition of Darnold is a clear sign that Minnesota is highly likely to trade up in this year's NFL Draft to select one of the top quarterback prospects.
Whoever the Vikings end up drafting in April, that young signal-caller will either begin the 2024 regular season as the team's new starting passer or they will sit for a few games behind Darnold and continue to adjust to the NFL.
In no way was Minnesota's signing of Darnold on Monday a move that was made with the intention of making the former No. 3 overall draft pick the team's quarterback of the future.
The Vikings probably just feel he will be a better option as a backup next season than Nick Mullens (who is currently still throwing interceptions) or Jaren Hall, and that's it. There's nothing really more to it than that.
So everyone, take a deep breath and fast forward to the first night of this year's NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25, when Minnesota will reveal who they are choosing to be their actual quarterback of the future.