Sam Darnold’s Resurgence in Minnesota: Vikings Face Critical Offseason Decisions
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold may have stumbled in his first playoff appearance, but his 2024 season showcased a remarkable rebirth that could define his NFL career. At just 27 years old, Darnold shed the struggles that haunted him in earlier stints, proving he can lead the charge for the Vikings.
A Record-Breaking Season for Darnold
Despite the playoff disappointment, where he was sacked a postseason-record nine times in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Darnold’s regular season tells a different story. He posted:
- Third-most passing yards in franchise history.
- Tied for the second-most touchdowns in a season.
- Sixth-highest QB rating in team history.
- Second-most game-winning drives in a single year.
ESPN analyst Ben Solak believes Darnold’s regular-season success far outweighs his playoff struggles. “I truly believe the Vikings will extend Darnold,” Solak wrote on January 20. “Four years, $160 million feels optimal, especially before another team offers him a massive deal in free agency.”

Offensive Line Woes Exposed
While Darnold should shoulder some blame for the playoff loss, film analysis has shifted significant responsibility to the Vikings’ offensive line. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t mince words:
“There’s no question. We’ve got to find a way to solidify the interior of the pocket,” O’Connell said postgame. “It’s the foundation of the pocket that needs improvement. Over the course of the season, we lost to two teams that exposed us through pressure.”
The Vikings have the sixth-most cap space in free agency, positioning them to bolster their offensive line. With Pro Bowl tackles Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw already anchoring the edges, the focus shifts to improving the interior.
The Chiefs’ Blueprint: A Model for the Vikings
Darnold’s situation draws comparisons to Patrick Mahomes during the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2021 Super Bowl loss. In that game, Mahomes faced relentless pressure due to poor pass protection. The Chiefs responded by:
- Trading for Pro Bowl LT Orlando Brown.
- Signing All-Pro guard Joe Thuney to a record contract.
- Drafting Pro Bowl linemen Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith.
The Vikings could replicate this approach, leveraging their cap space to strengthen the offensive line and protect their quarterback.
J.J. McCarthy: The Wild Card
The decision to commit to Darnold may come at a cost: moving on from promising rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The 22-year-old, who was dubbed a “franchise quarterback” by O’Connell last summer, still lacks experience compared to other young QBs, with only 654 pass attempts in college.
While McCarthy’s upside is clear, Solak suggests the Vikings could trade McCarthy for draft capital to address roster needs during a win-now window with Darnold. “They’ll either keep McCarthy or quietly look to trade him ahead of a weak quarterback draft class,” Solak said.
A Balancing Act for the Future
The Vikings are at a crossroads:
- Extend Darnold with a lucrative deal, potentially backloading cap hits to maintain flexibility in the short term.
- Bet on McCarthy’s development, saving cap space but gambling on his readiness to take over.
Re-signing Darnold offers a chance to chase immediate success, but it risks deferring the McCarthy plan and straining future cap space.
The Vikings’ front office faces a pivotal offseason, with Darnold’s rise at the heart of their decision-making. As the clock ticks toward free agency, Minnesota must decide whether to push all their chips in now or plan for the future.