Minnesota Vikings’ Offseason Spotlight: Will Sam Darnold Get a Massive Payday or Will JJ McCarthy Take Over?
The NFL offseason is anything but quiet for the Minnesota Vikings. While fans might call it a break, the team spends these months reshaping its roster, coaching staff, and front office. The spotlight in 2025, unsurprisingly, is on the quarterback position, where uncertainty reigns once again.
Sam Darnold’s Redemption Arc
After a surprising turn of events in 2024, Sam Darnold, the former No. 3 overall pick in 2018, became the face of the Vikings’ offense. When rookie JJ McCarthy, the team’s 2024 No. 10 overall pick, suffered a preseason meniscus injury, Darnold stepped up and delivered. The result? One of the most impressive seasons in Vikings history, with 35 touchdown passes and a playoff berth, though it ended in a Wild Card loss to the LA Rams.
Now a free agent, Darnold is in a much better position than he was a year ago. ESPN’s Ben Solak believes the Vikings are ready to reward him:
“I really, truly believe the Vikings will extend Darnold. They have the room for something in the Daniel Jones neighborhood — four years, $160 million is probably optimal, if they can get Darnold to sign that before another team in the free market offers him a whale of a deal,” Solak explained.
Solak added that the Vikings could also explore trading McCarthy if they commit to Darnold, especially with a weak 2025 quarterback draft class.
Déjà Vu for the Vikings?
This isn’t the first offseason dominated by quarterback speculation in Minnesota. Last year, the debate centered on whether to re-sign Kirk Cousins or move in a new direction. Ultimately, Cousins’ asking price led the Vikings to let him walk, and he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. The Vikings then signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal as a bridge quarterback and later drafted McCarthy.
Darnold exceeded expectations, navigating an offense loaded with stars like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and a recovering TJ Hockenson. However, his playoff performance left lingering questions about whether he can handle the league’s brightest moments.
Will the Vikings Pay the Price?
Darnold’s market value is now projected to be between $35–$45 million per season. While Solak predicts the Vikings will secure him with a long-term deal, ESPN’s Dan Graziano has his doubts:
“Darnold played so well (35 touchdown passes) that the Vikings have to at least consider bringing him back. But given what quarterbacks can command on the open market and how high the team picked McCarthy in the draft, there has to be some kind of limit on how much Minnesota would spend to keep Darnold.”
The team’s refusal to overpay for Cousins last offseason hints that they might be hesitant to invest heavily in Darnold, especially with McCarthy waiting in the wings.
What’s Next for Minnesota?
If the Vikings balk at Darnold’s price tag, they could explore another bridge quarterback option, betting on McCarthy’s readiness to take the reins. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has proven adept at making the most of his quarterbacks, so the team might rely on his leadership to guide them through another transitional season.
One thing is clear: whether it’s Darnold, McCarthy, or someone else entirely, the Vikings’ offseason decisions will define their 2025 campaign and beyond.
