The NFL is slowly entering playoff season with only two more matchdays to go (outside of those who played on Christmas). Kevin O’Connell and his Viikngs crew have already clinched a playoff berth, and they will either head on the road to face one of the weaker division winners or catch the Lions in the battle for the NFC North and host at least one game.
Adam Schefter Indicates Strong Market for Sam Darnold
The entire Vikings franchise has surprised this year, but nobody has shocked the NFL world more than quarterback Sam Darnold. We’re only three-and-a-half months away from free agency, and the signal-caller has earned some looks.
Adam Schefter, ESPN’s NFL insider, has recently talked about the passer’s free-agent prospects.
“This is going to continue to become an interesting storyline. To date the Vikings and Sam Darnold haven’t had any discussions aimed at a long-term contract extension. I think that they figure, ‘Let’s just let this play out and see where it goes.’ But with every week that Sam Darnold continues to play like this, you just look at the quarterback market this offseason I can count, right now, minimum of seven teams that are going to need a new quarterback for next year,” Schefter said on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.
Darnold joined the Vikings after signing a one-year, $10 million contract. He was supposed to be the one-year bridge between the departed Kirk Cousins and the future incoming rookie. The Vikings acquired J.J. McCarthy with the tenth overall pick.
Because Darnold has performed at a Pro Bowl level, so some have voiced their concerns about moving on from the safe option and heading into a more unpredictable future with McCarthy.
The seven teams? The New York Giants hold the best odds for the top pick with a 2-13 record, and their supposed franchise QB has resurfaced on Minnesota’s practice squad. Las Vegas employs Garner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell and neither is a long-term option. The Titans might want to move on from Mason Rudolph and Will Levis and go after the more reliable Darnold.
Deshaun Watson is only expected to play for the Browns next season because of his contract. His play has been poor, and a torn Achilles only increases the risk. The New York Jets await a decision from Aaron Rodgers on whether he wants to play in 2025, and it remains to be seen whether Matthew Stafford will extend his career beyond the 2024 playoffs.
Schefter continued, “There are, in this upcoming draft, two quarterbacks that I think teams feel strongly about in Sheduer Sanders and Cam Ward. Those quarterbacks will go to two of those teams, that leaves us with five teams with major quarterback questions. There aren’t enough quarterbacks to satisfy the teams that have a quarterback need, which is why that plays right into Sam’s bargaining power. So, the question becomes, how much will he command (on the) market? What will some teams be willing to commit to him?”
A seventh team? Russell Wilson will be a free agent, and the Steelers might want to pivot; the Seahawks can’t be happy with Geno Smith’s 17 TDs and 15 INTs, and perhaps the Colts want competition for the inconsistent Anthony Richardson. How about a return to San Francisco if the 49ers don’t want to commit to Brock Purdy?
The market should be robust, considering his pace to throw for roughly 4,300 yards and 36 touchdowns. He has also produced in clutch situations and showed remarkable playmaking ability.
Schefter concluded: “Then Minnesota has to make a decision, ‘OK, do we want to go commit to this guy?’ I think there’s going to be some intriguing scenarios out there for Sam Darnold.”
The Vikings will, indeed, make a decision between the cheaper but uncertain McCarthy and the expensive but solid Darnold.
At the age of 27 and the arm talent of a former third-overall pick, there will be interest if the Vikings decide to go with their 21-year-old top pick from 2024.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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