After the 2023 season, the Minnesota Vikings parted methods with QB Kirk Cousins. He left as a free agent and signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Within the 2024 draft, Minnesota used the No. 10 choose to pick out QB JJ McCarthy from Michigan State. Moreover, the group signed veteran QB Sam Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract for the 2024 season.
League officers believed Darnold could be this 12 months’s starter after which the group would change to McCarthy. Nonetheless, the rookie suffered a season-ending knee harm through the preseason. That leaves Sam Darnold in a beginning position for the whole 2024 season. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 file, however the 12 months did not finish on a excessive be aware. Now, Minnesota has some tough selections to make this offseason. Will they re-sign Darnold after the very best season of his profession or hand the group over to JJ McCarthy?
Will Sam Darnold play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025?
“Minnesota is leaving Sam Darnold for JJ McCarthy.”@colincoherd Vikings QB scenario after loss to Rams pic.twitter.com/62M5o7obwx
— The Quantity (@The VolumeSports) January 14, 2025
In Week 17, the Vikings defeated the Packers 27-25, bettering their file to 14-2. Minnesota performed the Lions on the street in Week 18. The sport was for the NFC’s No. 1 seed and the 2024 NFC South championship. The Vikings misplaced to the Lions 31-9 in Week 18, with Sam Darnold passing for simply 166 yards. As a group, the Vikings didn’t rating a landing, and all 9 of their factors got here on discipline targets. This gave the Vikings a 14-3 file and earned them the fifth seed, permitting them to play a street playoff sport.
The Vikings’ offense, led by Darnold, struggled for the second straight sport. Minnesota misplaced to the Rams 27-9 within the wild card spherical. The veteran QB had one move for a landing, one interception, and even misplaced a fumble, which Los Angeles recovered and returned for a landing. Darnold was sacked 9 occasions Monday night time. After two tough video games in a row, the Vikings should make some tough decisions this offseason. Will they re-sign the QB who led them to 14 wins, or will they hand over the offense to a younger QB named JJ McCarthy? Head coach Kevin O’Connell shall be a significant deciding issue on what the Vikings do going ahead. Did Sam Darnold do sufficient to maintain his job, or have been the final two weeks sufficient for Minnesota to maneuver ahead?