Live Feed: Is Sam Darnold’s Time with the Vikings Over?
Glendale, AZ, January 14, 2025 – The Minnesota Vikings suffered a devastating playoff exit Monday night, falling to the Los Angeles Rams 27-9. The performance highlighted glaring issues, with Sam Darnold under scrutiny after being sacked an NFL playoff record-tying nine times. While blame can’t rest solely on Darnold, the spotlight is firmly on the quarterback’s future with the team.
A Collapse Under Pressure
Darnold’s struggles were evident as he completed 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. However, the nine sacks he endured defined the game, with his inability to evade pressure raising serious concerns.
Reflecting on the game, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell said, “There were a couple of those [sacks] where they were able to scheme up a guy here or there that on paper you have accounted for, but it doesn’t matter on paper. We’ve got to find a way to eliminate some of those negatives, because that’s never going to be a formula for success, regardless of if it’s January or not.”
Darnold Acknowledges His Role
Darnold was candid about his shortcomings, shouldering responsibility for the sacks and his decision-making under pressure.
“It’s up to me to be able to move and still find a window to throw,” Darnold admitted. “I felt like there were a lot of sacks today that I was responsible for. I was holding onto the football and taking sacks where I could have just gotten rid of it.”
This self-awareness comes after what had been a career-best regular season. Darnold threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, earning his first Pro Bowl nod. But his playoff collapse, coupled with a lackluster Week 18 showing against the Detroit Lions, cast doubt over his ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
Over his last two games, Darnold completed just 43 of 81 passes (53%) for 411 yards, one touchdown, and one interception—a sharp decline from his regular-season form.
“Obviously, at the end of the day, all that matters when you have a good season is, ‘What do you do in the playoffs?’” Darnold said. “We didn’t get it done today, and that’s all that matters.”
Offensive Line Woes Compound Issues
While Darnold faced criticism, the Vikings’ offensive line also struggled mightily. The absence of key players like Christian Darrisaw (injured in Week 8) and Brian O’Neill (concussion protocol) left gaps the Rams exploited.
“We’ve got to find a way to solidify the interior of the pocket,” O’Connell stated. “There can be a thousand excuses… but for me, it’s the foundation of the interior pocket that we’re gonna have to take a long look at.”
The Rams’ relentless pass rush exposed a systemic issue, as the Vikings’ line failed to protect their quarterback against high-pressure defenses.
What’s Next for Darnold and the Vikings?
Darnold’s Pro Bowl season showed promise, but his inability to perform in critical moments leaves the Vikings at a crossroads. With significant cap space and an offseason ahead, Minnesota must decide whether Darnold remains their quarterback or if it’s time to explore other options.
As O’Connell summed up, “In a game like that, we’ve got to find a way to sustain a little bit more forward momentum… Just got to find a way to eliminate some of those negatives.”
The Vikings face a pivotal offseason, and all eyes will be on their decision about Sam Darnold’s future in Minnesota.
