Play well and become expensive! That’s what NFL teams might be facing this offseason when they are supposed to sign their key players in the roster. And Minnesota Vikings’s Sam Darnold is no new to this. Leading his team to an impressive 14-3 this season, Darnold might be underrated by many ways. The first and foremost is his uncertain future with the franchise. So, what could exactly happen?
After signing for one-year last March, Sam Darnold took a high plight with the team. He posted a career-high 4,319 yards passing and 35 touchdowns, leading the Vikings to the playoffs. But now that the contract is over for the quarterback, will the franchise keep him on the roster? Especially when the Vikes have a potential future star, J.J. McCarthy.
Well, as per national reporter, Jeremy Flower, “I’m told that the Minnesota Vikings are open to doing a deal with Sam Darnold. People I’ve talked to around the league believe that the franchise tag is not the likeliest path in Minnesota, would take that’s a high number of around 40 million dollars. So, Minnesota’s stance seems to be that they’re not going to mortgage the future for Sam Darnold if he’s getting a major bank with another team. Somewhere else they probably won’t mortgage their future in that regard, but they’re certainly open to having a back. They loved having him what was made clear to me.”
So, this means, as per Flower, the Vikings liked having Sam Darnold. Afterall, he is an experienced player, who has shown his incredible game last season. But that just doesn’t compel the team enough to pay him more. And the teams who wants to pay huge to the QB, the Purple team isn’t coming in between them too. We can understand this state of mind, as Minnesota has already a potential budding star in the roster – J.J. McCarthy. So, whether the young QB takes over in six months, a year, or even longer hasn’t been decided yet, but he will be their man. That means, as per the reporter, until then whoever steps in will just be a bridge.
So, who could come next if not Sam Darnold? Well, Flower thinks Daniel Jones could take over. He was there in the team last year, and hence, he could be an option if they decide to go that route. Well, we can’t blame the Vikings only to ignore Sam Darnold, when the NFL did the same with the quarterback.
Sam Darnold isn’t worth being in the top 101?
Pro Football Focus (PFF) revealed the much-awaited final list of NFL’s top 101 players. And to everyone’s surprise, the Vikings made the place in the ranks with just two of their players. Just 2 in 101? Now, you must be thinking that it’s obvious for Sam Darnold to make it. But you are wrong, just like us!
As per the list, surprisingly, Sam Darnold didn’t make it through despite his good 2024 season. Instead, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard made the cut at no. 82. Thanks to his standout performance in first season – 59 total tackles, 12 sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes. Next in the line was none other than Justin Jefferson at No. 24. His 1,533 receiving yards ranked second and 10 TD receptions ranked sixth in the league. That’s why he was one of the favorites of the voters.
But Sam Darnold’s 35 TDs and NFL’s Most Improved Player of the season title didn’t land him a rank in the NFL’s top 101 list, as per PFF. Strange, isn’t it?