Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures.
The Minnesota Vikings’ high precedence this offseason is deciding a QB1 resolution for 2025 and making ready that man for Week 1.
3 Hints Recommend Sam Darnold Gained’t Be Again with Vikings
All indicators level to J.J. McCarthy for that function, leaving Sam Darnold on deck to check free company in March or be traded by Minnesota by way of the franchise tag.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures.
Minnesota’s 2024 marketing campaign ended 20 days in the past, and people have questioned about Darnold since: “Will he stay or leave?” Not too long ago, nevertheless, a number of hints counsel Darnold could depart the franchise. These are the hints.
1. The Instagram Publish
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Pictures.
Along with his future up within the air, Darnold posted — what appeared like — a sentimental goodbye be aware on Instagram.
“Year 7… So grateful for my teammates, coaches, and the entire organization. We created memories and relationships that will last a lifetime and we got to do it in front of the best fanbase in the world #SKOL,” Darnold wrote one week in the past.
Darnold isn’t overly lively on social media; to the bare ear, that gave the impression of a goodbye.
2. The Wage Cap
The Vikings not too long ago ended the Kirk Cousins period, a six-year interval when some followers routinely complained about paying a non-elite signal-caller … High 10 quarterback cash.
If Minnesota re-signs Darnold, it’s going to try this over once more with no delineation.
Common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has rigorously scripted his “competitive rebuild” during the last three years. Re-upping with Darnold for $30-$45 million feels a bit backward, no less than per the standard plan of surrounding a rookie quarterback with a blinding roster for 4-5 years.
Minnesota has the cash to re-sign Darnold, however then different exterior free brokers could be off the desk. Identical to the Cousins period. The Vikings would return to cut price bin purchasing.
3. The Verbiage
Per the lips of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, Darnold sort of feels like a participant on his approach out. “The other phase of it for Sam is acknowledging the things that made him a winning quarterback this year. The consistency and the times he had it throughout the year and what that meant for our team. Because I think that can stay with him moving forward as he goes back to work,” O’Connell defined after the 2024 season ended.
“Proud of him. Proud of everybody in that locker room but Sam and the journey him and I went on this year will always be something that has a special place in my heart, for sure.”
At all times be one thing that has a particular place in my coronary heart — sounds just like the verbiage of break-up. That’s what a person or lady says when departing a romantic relationship on good phrases.
Additionally, in December, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips spoke about Darnold as a short-timer. “I think we all know that Sam is going to be a sought-after type of guy from wherever that may be. Whatever his future ends up being, I know all of us in this building are going to be happy for him, no matter where that ends up being. I don’t think he has to worry about that anymore,” Phillips advised reporters.
“I would hope he would kind of say, ‘Hey, the body of work that I’ve put in so far is going to take care of the future. Really, all I need to worry about is right now.’”
“The worry might’ve been, ‘OK, this might be my opportunity to play.’ He’s past all that. He’s proven the doubters, and he’s proven that he can play in this league. Let’s just make this the best possible season we can have,” Phillips continued.
The Vikings appear to speak about Darnold up to now tense.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options friends, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple staff, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as intently because the NFL.
All statistics supplied by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data supplied by OverTheCap.com.
