Opinions vary wildly on what the Minnesota Vikings should do for a quarterback during the 2024 NFL season. J.J. McCarthy is entering the second year of a rookie deal that puts no urgency on inserting him into the starting lineup soon,
The door is open for the Vikings to employ an experienced passer to lead the team while McCarthy continues to develop and learn in preparation for taking over the starting role at some point. Some fans would like that player to be Sam Darnold.
Darnold will no longer be a player who will sign a deal for $10 million now that he led Minnesota to a 14-3 record and is a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year. Many teams that are desperate to find their guy at quarterback could be very interesting in shooting an offer his way.
Recent Sam Darnold contract prediction would be too expensive for Vikings
The big question is what those offers will look like. In a league where the price tag for a quality starting quarterback is constantly increasing, estimates for what a contract could look like for Sam Darnold have been jaw-dropping.
ESPN’s Ben Solak recently shared his opinion on what it could cost to acquire Darnold's services and Minnesota Vikings fans aren't going to like it. The amount he shared would be something the purple and gold likely wouldn't match.
"While the idea of signing Darnold to a four-year, $140 million deal seems preposterous, I wouldn't be surprised to see those figures at all. Functionally that ends up playing out more like a two-year, $70 million contract with a couple of team options attached behind it if Darnold plays well."ESPN’s Ben Solak
The biggest problem with a deal of this size isn't the money, even though devoting that amount of the salary cap for a quarterback would hurt the rest of the roster. The four years is something Minnesota likely would have no interest in giving Darnold.
Sam Darnold is only 27 years old, making his age no issue at all. The problem with that deal is that even if the Vikings use the fifth-year option on J.J. McCarthy, they only have him under contract through 2028, which is when Darnold's contract would expire.
J.J. McCarthy will get his chance as a starter before his rookie contract with the Vikings is over. Sam Darnold could easily fetch the $35 million per year that Solak suggested if he lands with the right franchise that sees his potential. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings need to put their focus on finding out if McCarthy is their future.