Successful Sam Darnold Experiment Proved Vikings Don’t Need Him in 2025

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Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings drafted their quarterback of the future not even one year ago. But since JJ McCarthy went down with a preseason meniscus injury last August, all eyes and ears have been on the free agent QB originally signed as a draft insurance plan, Sam Darnold.

That’s probably expected, after the USC product won 14 games and enjoyed by far the best season of his young career, during his only season as Vikings QB1. But should general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell throw their McCarthy plans in the trash, after Darnold’s breakout 2024?

No, they should not. Darnold deserves to get paid this offseason. He’s earned it… but not from the Minnesota Vikings. They’ve already done enough for his career. Sam Darnold is the best quarterback hitting the free agency market and that’s all thanks to KOC & Co.

Sam Darnold isn’t worth breaking the salary cap bank for

And that’s exactly why they should move on. For all the same reasons the 27-year-old Darnold succeeded in Minnesota, the same should be expected from JJ McCarthy or any other quarterback they bring in as the next bridge.

For years Kirk Cousins took up a sizable portion of the MN Vikings cap space. When he flew the coop for Atlanta, it gave general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah an opportunity to spend more at other positions.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

With that extra cash, the Vikings extended both Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw. They added Stephon Gilmore, Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel, among other impact free agent additions. And in 2025, with over $63 million in cap space entering the offseason (7th-most in NFL), the decision to move on from Cousins looks even better.

An argument can be made that the Minnesota Vikings should franchise tag Darnold, but only if the end goal is to trade him. Whether it’s Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold, employing a $40 million quarterback who is anything less than Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen isn’t worth the investment, especially if it’s on a multi-year deal.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Want Aaron Jones Back… Just Less

The Vikings should thank Darnold for every one of the 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns he generated for them last season. Then, Sam should thank the Minnesota Vikings, specifically head coach Kevin O’Connell, for the payday he’s about to cash in on, before the two sides bid each other adieu.

Vikings can replicate success with J.J. McCarthy

Last season the Vikings signed Darnold under the premise that he would likely be replaced by a yet-to-be-determined rookie. Sure, there was some high-end talent upside to the pick up. Many believed his early career struggles were more a product of growing up in the Jets and Panthers organizations, than his inability to play QB at the NFL level.

But at the end of the day, they were still signing a six-year veteran who only had seven more career touchdowns passes (63) than than interceptions (56). When he signed, the Minnesota Vikings had confidence that O’Connell’s QB expertise, combined with one of the best set of offensive weapons in football, would allow Sam Darnold to blossom in a way he could not at previous stops.

And guess what? They were absolutely correct. So, as we sit around thinking about who needs who next season, is there any reason to logically believe that Kevin O’Connell and Josh McCown can’t replicate the same type of on-field success with McCarthy, as they did Darnold? Remember, JJ has just as much talent as Sam and no previous failed stops in the league.

McCarthy finished high school with a 36-2 record. He threw 94 total touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. Then, in 40 games at the University of Michigan, he completed passes at a 67.6% clip (CFB high 72.3% in 2023), piling up 6,226 yards, 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Never did JJ McCarthy throw more than 5 interceptions in a season while at Michigan. In his final year in Ann Arbor, he and Jim Harbaugh marched the Wolverines to a National Championship, too. While he didn’t throw for the 4,143 yards that Darnold did in his final college season, McCarthy was substantially better than the 26/13 TD/INT mark from the former Trojan.

Related: Vikings Concerned About JJ McCarthy’s Weight…?

Given the 2025 Minnesota Vikings QB will have most of the same weapons Darnold took advantage of last season, plus (hopefully) a bolstered interior offensive line, there’s no reason to consider paying for a mid quarterback. Entering training camp, we should expect McCarthy can do all the same things as Darnold, but on a cap hit a fraction of the size as Sam’s.

Minnesota Vikings can replicate success with Daniel Jones

If the Vikings would really like another veteran bridge option, then it’s the one they signed to end last season. Daniel Jones played for the other crappy New York organization and earned a sizable payday because of Ed Donatell’s Vikings defense. His next one could be because of the MN Vikings again.

In the same six-season timeframe that Darnold had prior to Minnesota, Jones owns a 70/47 TD/INT ratio. He has topped 3,00 yards twice, and has 2,179 rushing yards with 15 more touchdowns as well. To say his baseline is higher than Darnold’s was would be putting it lightly.

Jones was guaranteed $92 million of his four-year deal worth $160 million. He will cost peanuts for Minnesota next season, and could be either the next Darnold reclamation project, or a capable backup to sit behind McCarthy and offer more than Nick Mullens.

One of the most straightforward ways to construct a roster in the NFL is hitting on a quarterback during their rookie contract. The ability to pay peanuts for an ideal partner would only be an icing on the cake scenario.

Related: ESPN Floats Already-Debunked Vikings Trade Idea

Ultimately Minnesota needs to replace a plethora of talent. The have ample funds to do so. There is no reason to concern themselves with spending a significant sum on a player that they have made entirely replaceable. It’s not because Darnold stumbled in his final two games, or because he didn’t provide a fun ride.

It’s time for both parties to go their separate ways and enjoy the year that was. The Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers could both provide ideal destinations. Heck, maybe the Los Angeles Rams are interested if Matthew Stafford is dealt.

No matter what happens, it will be on Darnold to prove that he can take what he learned to a lesser offense and make it work. Only time will tell if that ends up being the case.

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