The Vikings got further evidence they made the right decision in signing Sam Darnold to replace Kirk Cousins as their veteran starting quarterback this season when they got to see both QBs duel on the same field in Minnesota in Week 14.
Darnold had his best performance as a Viking in the 42-21 double-up romp of Cousins’ Falcons. While Darnold was almost perfect with his prolific passing efficiency (22-of-28, 347 yards, 5 TDs, 157.9 rating, 10.8 yards per attempt), Cousins (23-of-37, 344 yards, 2 INTs, 92.6 rating, 9.1 yards per attempt) didn’t do enough to keep up.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown thought Darnold would be a good fit in the system, and he has exceeded all expectations in leading the team to an 11-3 record in the best season of his NFL career.
Darnold was leading the QB competition in the offseason. He was locked into full-time starting duty once first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy had his rookie year wiped out by a knee injury in August.
Whenever the 2024 season ends in the playoffs early next year, the clock will be ticking on what to do with Darnold vs. McCarthy for the 2025 season. Adding an extra twist is the fact that the team signed former Giants starting QB Daniel Jones to the practice squad with Nick Mullens remaining the No. 2.
Here’s taking a look ahead how just how tough Darnold has made the decision for O’Connell and Vikings’ officials.
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Sam Darnold’s contract status
Darnold is providing terrific return on his short-term deal. He was signed for one year at $10 million with $8.75 million guaranteed. In stark contrast, the Falcons gave Cousins a four-year, $180 million contract, for an average annual value of $45 million with $100 million guaranteed.
The Vikings should feel confident about pushing the right buttons at QB again. They also will be aware they won’t get the same type of discount on Darnold again should they wish to re-sign him.
The Buccaneers went through this with Baker Mayfield, Darnold’s former Panthers teammate, breaking out for them in 2023. The Seahawks had a similar situation with Geno Smith, Darnold’s fellow former Jet, in 2022. Mayfield ended up jumping up to $33 million a season, while Smith, the year before, got $25 million a season. Jones, however, was overpaid by the Giants at $40 million a season.
Based on that recent history, the Vikings (or another team) would need to spend between $30-$35 million a season, depending on the contract length and guarantees, to bring Darnold back.
MORE: Sam Darnold full contract projection breakdown
J.J. McCarthy’s contract status
McCarthy will be entering the second year of his typical bargain rookie deal, an all-guaranteed $21.85 million contract. That’s an average annual value of less than $5.5 million. His cap hit for 2025 will be just less than $5 million.
Getting Darnold for $10 million to pair with McCarthy as a high-end backup or bridge is different than putting real money into Darnold when the high-drafted rookie is healthy. The question is whether the Vikings think McCarthy will be ready to play at a high level in Year 2 after the missed game action or whether he needs a true “redshirt season” of development behind Darnold.
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Daniel Jones’ contract status
Jones is earning $375,000 million from the Vikings to finish out the season off the active roster depth chart, then will become an unrestricted free agent like Darnold in March 2025. The Vikings have no obligation to Jones beyond the rest of the season and playoffs.
What should Vikings do at QB in 2025?
Darnold is playing too well to ignore that he should get some consideration to be re-signed. The offensive staff needs to consider Darnold also has been a pleasing leader and teammate to their key offensive skill players, led by wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
McCarthy may have the makeup and physical skill set to have the same kind of success, given he led a national championship team at Michigan. But with no games played in 2024, he’s rebooting as a rookie all over again. If the rough plan was to sit an inexperienced McCarthy, it would be difficult to deviate from that next season.
Darnold won’t have a better fit on the open market while he tries to maximize his next contract, and that can help the contract become manageable for Minnesota for him to stay put for a while. The Vikings should be leaning to another combination of Darnold and McCarthy in 2025, while giving a chance to Jones to displace Mullens, who also is a pending free agent.
