Vikings Face Tough Decision on Sam Darnold's Future After Playoff Exit

Minnesota must weigh Darnold's standout regular season against his postseason struggles and the readiness of rookie J.J. McCarthy.

Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-win regular season, posting 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and earning praise for his performance.
Darnold's struggles in the final two games, including a lackluster Wild Card loss to the Rams, have raised questions about his ceiling as a starting quarterback.
The Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy in the first round in 2024, and he is expected to return healthy in 2025 after a season-ending knee injury last year.
Re-signing Darnold could cost the Vikings $41 million on a franchise tag, complicating their cap space and free agency plans.
Darnold is expected to draw interest from quarterback-needy teams in free agency, with the Raiders, Steelers, and Giants among potential suitors.