Sam Darnold signed with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason with the intent of battling for the starting job.
Now, he’ll be the quarterback attempting to lead Minnesota on a deep playoff run after the team doubled down on 2024 prior to the NFL trade deadline.
The Vikings acquired left tackle Cam Robinson via trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday, bringing in a veteran to protect Darnold’s blind side after the loss of Christian Darrisaw to a season-ending knee injury. The move feels like a legitimate show of faith in Darnold, and his ability to lead the team through the difficult NFC North and beyond this season.
As for beyond 2024? That's an entirely different situation.
With Darnold on a one-year deal, and No. 10 overall draft pick J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, it seems more likely than not that Darnold tests free agency in 2025 in search for a new multi-year deal. If he continues at his current rate with the Vikings, that next contract figures to be a healthy one, too.
For that reason, the Bleacher Report scouting department predicted this week that Darnold will leave Minnesota for a second stint in New York — this time with the Giants. Here was the site’s reasoning:
At this rate, New York will likely move on from Daniel Jones in the offseason and look for a new quarterback. While the front office might want to draft someone, it remains to be seen if the club will have a high enough draft pick to get one or the guy it wants. So, the idea of bringing in a relatively young free agent might be an intriguing option.
Darnold will be just 28 years old in June and has been playing his best ball so far this season. Plus, it helps that he has experience dealing with the New York media circus and won't be a wide-eyed 21-year-old this time.
Giants fans would probably rather have Drake Maye or McCarthy right now, but it’s safe to assume they would take Darnold over Daniel Jones. Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News recently projected Darnold’s next contract at 3-4 years in length at north of $30 million per season.
That might be too rich for the Giants’ blood, especially after they continue to be burned by the 4-year, $160 million contract they gave Jones in 2023. There’s a potential out in the deal after 2024, however, and Darnold could actually make some sense as a younger veteran who’s proving he can win in the right situation.
