 participates in pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/samatsea.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=639,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/samatsea.jpg”><figcaption> Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure>
<p>After having Kirk Cousins under center for the past six seasons as the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, both sides moved on after last season.</p>
<h4>What Should the Vikings Do with Sam Darnold?</h4>
<p>They signed journeyman Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract and drafted Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with <a href=)
the 10th overall pick. Minnesota has been a huge surprise all season, going 14-2, and Darnold’s play has been a big reason for that.
 at the line of scrimmage against the Chicago Bears in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldmnf.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=608,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldmnf.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldmnf.jpg” alt ><figcaption> Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Before this season, the former third-overall pick played for the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers.</p>
<p><a href=)
In his 66 career games (56 starts), he threw 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions. This season, in all 16 starts, he has thrown 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. It has certainly been a much different story this year, and he looks much more like a player who was drafted as high as he was.
With how well he has played, bringing him back sounds like a very easy decision, right?
Not so fast.
With his play this year, Darnold will certainly not be cheap again, and Minnesota will eventually need to know what they have in McCarthy. So the question remains: What should they do with Darnold?
 celebrates his touchdown to wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldyell.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=662,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldyell.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldyell.jpg” alt><figcaption> Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>A lot will depend on how Minnesota finishes. If they win the Super Bowl, they should reward him and bring him back. Why not? This franchise has never won a Super Bowl before, and if they do, Darnold will be one of the main reasons for that. It would be a huge surprise if they let him go.</p>
<p>If they do not win the Super Bowl, they should thank him for his services in 2024 and hand the game over to McCarthy. Or maybe they can re-sign <a href=)
Daniel Jones and have him battle McCarthy. Jones will be cheap.
Yes, that would be a risk, given that we do not know whether McCarthy will pan out. One thing is for certain, though: McCarthy will greatly benefit from having Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and a good offensive-minded coach in Kevin O’Connell. Darnold certainly has benefited from all those resources. Maybe McCarthy will not benefit as much, but they should still benefit. It is very hard to imagine he would look like Tarvaris Jackson or Christian Ponder with all that support around him.
$80 million in cap space. They could also get a compensation pick for losing Darnold.
Darnold could easily cost at least $40 million a year with the season he has had. Again, if Minnesota wins the Super Bowl, they should reward and re-sign him. Why tell him to take a hike when he did something no quarterback in team history has ever done? Making it to the big game would be very impressive and should give Darnold more praise, but getting over the hump in 2025 and beyond will be tougher with him making that much.
Minnesota reportedly wants him back. For how much and how long? That remains to be seen.
If Minnesota is one and done in the playoffs, it will make the decision much easier for them to move on from him. If they reach the NFC Championship Game at the bare minimum, it will be hard for them to move on.
With Cousins making big money, it did not make it impossible for Minnesota to add more to the roster, but it definitely made it tougher. Having a cheaper quarterback this year made it easier for them to bring in Jones, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman. All have played major roles in this team having a shot for the first seed in the NFC.
 warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24841757.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=786,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24841757.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/USATSI_24841757.jpg” alt><figcaption> Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Even if this indeed does become Darnold’s only season in purple, his play will certainly not be forgotten. It is never easy to say goodbye to players who perform well, but this game is also a business. How the season finale against the Detroit Lions goes will very likely determine his fate with the team next year. If they win and clinch the first seed, it will increase Minnesota’s chances of advancing to the Super Bowl, which, of course, would increase his chances of staying put.</p>
<p>Simply put. If they win the Super Bowl, keep him for 2025 and beyond. If not, it’s time to see what the Michigan kid can do.</p>
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