Sam Darnold’s Future with the Minnesota Vikings: Is a Million dollar Contract Worth It?

As the Minnesota Vikings look ahead to the 2025 NFL season, there are many difficult questions looming in the offseason, with one of the most significant being, *Will Sam Darnold be back in Minnesota?* While recent weeks might make the idea of parting ways with Darnold seem easier, the question remains: Should the Vikings be willing to let him go?

The Sam Darnold Story with the Vikings

Sam Darnold’s career has been full of ups and downs since he was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft. After high expectations in New York, things never truly came together, and Darnold was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where his struggles continued. But his time in Minnesota has been a different story.

When the Vikings signed him to a one-year, $10 million deal in the offseason, few could have predicted how integral Darnold would become to the team’s success. After taking over as the starting quarterback, Darnold led the Vikings to a remarkable 14-3 regular season, earning a Pro Bowl selection in the process. His play—marked by a calm demeanor, clutch performances, and leadership—was pivotal in securing the Vikings’ playoff spot and positioning them as one of the league’s top teams. In short, Darnold was a revelation in Minnesota.

The Dilemma: Is Darnold Worth Paying?

With such an impressive season under his belt, the question of Darnold’s future with the Vikings now centers around his contract. Spotrac estimates his market value at approximately $40.6 million for the 2025 season, a

sharp increase from the $10 million deal he signed with Minnesota last offseason. At first glance, a $40 million+ deal for a player who has only had one year of high-level performance in Minnesota might seem excessive, especially when the Vikings have so many other critical needs to address in the offseason.

Darnold’s success—both his MVP-level play and the Vikings’ 14-3 record—undoubtedly warrants significant attention. However, his last two games were a stark reminder that his performance can be erratic. The presence of J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota’s promising young quarterback, further complicates the decision. McCarthy, who is expected to be healthy and ready to step in as the starter in 2025, could be the future of the franchise. This makes committing large sums of money to Darnold less appealing, especially with the team needing to allocate funds to other areas.

Franchise Tag: A Possible Temporary Solution

One potential option for the Vikings is to franchise tag Darnold, which would tie him to the team for one more season at a projected $41.3 million. While this move would be a short-term solution, it could provide the Vikings with the time they need to assess McCarthy’s development and solidify their roster around him. However, this route would leave the Vikings with limited cap space, especially with free agency approaching.

Salary Cap Crunch and Team Needs

The Vikings’ salary cap situation in 2025 is another key factor in the decision. Currently, they’re projected to have around $77 million in available cap space, which sounds like a lot, but it’s far from a surplus given the number of free agents the team needs to address, including potential key re-signings on defense and the offensive line. Allocating a significant chunk of that money to Darnold, particularly if McCarthy is ready to take the reins, would limit the team’s ability to address other glaring needs.

The Vikings’ defense, which has been a weak spot in recent years, requires significant investment to become a more consistent unit. Similarly, strengthening the middle of the offensive line is essential to protect McCarthy or any future quarterback, as the Vikings look to build a more complete team. Spending nearly $41 million on a quarterback who might not be the long-term solution could hinder Minnesota’s ability to make those necessary improvements.

In my view, the Vikings have already gotten what they needed out of Sam Darnold. His contribution was invaluable in 2024, helping the team reach its peak performance. However, with J.J. McCarthy’s potential on the horizon and a pressing need to allocate cap space for defensive and offensive line improvements, it’s time for Minnesota to move forward.

While parting ways with Darnold may seem difficult, it ultimately makes more sense for the Vikings to make McCarthy their focus. By not tying up significant cap space in a veteran quarterback, the team can better position itself to compete in the years to come. Minnesota’s future should be all in on McCarthy, and this offseason’s decisions should reflect that reality.