Sam Darnold projected to land contract worth over $125 million in 2025

Last March, the Minnesota Vikings and free-agent signal-caller Sam Darnold agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million. The Vikings brought him in to be their bridge quarterback so that rookie J.J. McCarthy could take as much time as he needed to develop.

But McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in August, and Darnold has had the opportunity to be the full-time starting quarterback for an NFL franchise for the first time since 2021. Unlike his previous opportunities, however, Darnold has taken full advantage of the chance he was given by Minnesota this year.

Heading into Week 6 of the season, the Vikings quarterback ranks second in the NFL in touchdown passes (11), fifth in yards per pass attempt, and sixth in passer rating. Darnold is a big reason why Minnesota has a 5-0 record and has been one of the biggest surprises in the league this year.

Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold projected to land massive new contract in 2025

Thanks to Darnold's impressive start this season, some have already begun to project what he could potentially earn from a new contract when he becomes a free agent in 2025.

Based on their current market value projections, Spotrac.com believes the Vikings quarterback could possibly land a four-year contract worth $126.8 million ($31.7 million per season) in free agency next March.

At first glance, it might seem like a lot to give to a player like Darnold, who has been mostly unsuccessful during his NFL career. But the projected contract is actually similar to the recent deals that were signed by quarterbacks Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith.

If this ends up truly being the type of contract that Darnold could land in free agency next offseason, then it would likely erase any thoughts Minnesota might have had about re-signing him in 2025.

The Vikings just moved on from having a starting quarterback who makes a ton of money after it only resulted in one playoff win in six years. So, Minnesota doing something similar with Darnold when they have McCarthy and his cheap rookie contract waiting in the wings wouldn't make much sense.

If Darnold is able to land a contract similar to the one that Spotrac currently believes he can next year, then that would probably mean that he played well for the Vikings during the majority of the 2024 campaign. But unless he ends up leading them to their first-ever Super Bowl win this season, Minnesota likely won't be the team to offer him a contract worth more than $125 million.

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