Here we go again: Are Vikings really leaning toward retaining Sam Darnold?
Although some NFL insiders are reporting the quarterback could be back in Minnesota, the situation feels similar to what happened a year ago with Kirk Cousins.
The great philosopher Lawrence Peter Berra is credited with coining the phrase “it’s Déjà vu all over again” — a reference to one feeling the same experience they had in the past. The redundancy of the phrase notwithstanding, old Yogi’s quote perfectly encapsulates what’s going on with the Vikings’ quarterback situation.
A year after reading and hearing that Kirk Cousins could be returning to the Vikings, Sam Darnold is now playing the starring role in a drama that has an obvious (and logical) ending.
There is no doubt NFL insiders are being told the Vikings are strongly considering keeping Darnold and that no decision has been made, but there is a key fact missing from these reports. That is how much does Darnold want and will the Vikings be willing to pay it?
The likely answers: A lot and and no.
I wrote about the Vikings’ quarterback situation for 2025 after Darnold melted down in the final regular-season game in Detroit and then against the Rams in the playoffs. Darnold played a significant role in the Vikings’ massive overachievement this season (14 wins) and performed at a level that no one expected when he signed a one-year, $10 million contract last year.
But Darnold’s back-to-back clunkers should play a significant role in the Vikings’ decision-making, and it’s hard to see them paying him $120 million over three years with $75 million guaranteed, as has been projected by ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The contract would be tied for 15th among NFL quarterbacks in average annual value so it’s not outrageous, but the Vikings also aren’t desperate to keep Darnold. Just like they weren’t to retain Cousins.
Could Cousins have returned at the right price? Absolutely. The same goes for Darnold, but that price will be decided by the Vikings and not the quarterback’s camp. The Vikings are in a more favorable position now than they were when Cousins left to sign a four-year, $180 million contract ($100 million guaranteed) with the Falcons.
The Vikings didn’t have a first-round quarterback on their roster at that time, but they do now with J.J. McCarthy having been selected 10th overall before spending his rookie year sidelined by a knee injury. McCarthy is expected to be ready for training camp, and O’Connell’s work with Darnold also built confidence in his ability to get the most out of a veteran who has struggled.
The Vikings could look to retain Daniel Jones, who was released by the New York Giants in November before joining the Vikings’ practice squad. Jones would come at a lower price and who’s to say O’Connell won’t be able to work his magic with another first-round pick who got off to a rough start with a New York team?