Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) reacts as he walks off the field after losing to the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

nfl

Kevin O’Connell doesn’t rule out a Sam Darnold comeback

Will Sam Darnold be Vikings QB1 next season ?

The newly crowned Coach of the Year didn’t have to wait long before questions arose about the future of the quarterback position for the Minnesota Vikings.

After an unexpectedly strong season from Sam Darnold, the question of whether the veteran will return next season is on everyone’s mind. With JJ McCarthy returning from injury, the identity of the quarterback leading the Vikings’ offense next season remains a mystery.

During the NFL Honors ceremony, Kevin O’Connell was naturally asked about Sam Darnold’s future with the franchise. For now, discussions are ongoing, and a return is not ruled out:

“You know how I feel about Sam,” O’Connell said. “He’s a guy we identified last year as someone who could come in and succeed. No matter where he was in his quarterback journey before he arrived, the goal was to maximize the time we had together. And I think we did that, and I think it was a very special year for Sam. What that did for him is that now, everyone in our league sees him as a legitimate starting quarterback who can win a lot of football games. He won 14 games [in 2024].

“So he has earned the right to be a free agent, but we will continue to have dialogue and discussions with him and his representatives.”

During the 2024 NFL season, Sam Darnold, playing for the Minnesota Vikings, had an outstanding statistical year. He appeared in 17 regular-season games, throwing for 4,319 yards, ranking 5th in the league. He also recorded 35 touchdowns—also 5th in the league—against 12 interceptions. His passer rating stood at 102.5, reflecting a solid overall performance.

These numbers represent career highs for Darnold, who was also selected to his first Pro Bowl this season.

Despite his impressive individual performances, the Vikings finished the regular season with a 14-3 record, placing second in the NFC North. However, their playoff run ended early with a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round.

Contractually, Sam Darnold played last season on a one-year, $10 million deal. His strong individual statistics will likely help him secure a starting role, whether with the Vikings or another NFL team.

Credit Photo : Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Charles Taudin

nba

nfl

mlb

nhl

Global Editorial Chief of The Playoffs, I created The Free Agent, which became The Playoffs FR, in 2020 during the pandemic. A longtime fan of the four major American sports, I now oversee the editorial strategy and social media for all versions of The Playoffs. I still occasionally write about sports I’m particularly passionate about, such as the NFL or MLB. If there’s one thing you should remember: Eli Manning is the true GOAT for beating Tom Brady twice.