Sam Darnold Breaks Silence on plFuture as Vikings Face Tough Decision
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold finally addressed his uncertain future during the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, admitting he has given it some thought. However, he avoided going into specifics, leaving plenty of speculation about his next move.
At 27 years old, Darnold is coming off a career-best season, earning his first Pro Bowl nod while setting personal records. But a disappointing 0-2 finish in Week 18 and the NFC Wild Card Round has raised questions about his long-term viability as a starter.
Despite the uncertainty, ESPN’s Dan Graziano projects that Darnold could receive a deal similar to Baker Mayfield’s but with a notable raise.
“Prediction: Three years, $120 million, $75 million guaranteed,” Graziano wrote on January 31.
That contract would make Darnold the 15th-highest-paid QB in the league, a major jump from the one-year, $10 million deal he signed with Minnesota. But the big question remains—will the Vikings be the ones to pay him?
Will the Vikings Let Sam Darnold Walk?
The Vikings have expressed interest in bringing Darnold back, but with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, they may not be willing to spend big.
“They could franchise-tag him (roughly $40 million),” Graziano reported. “But odds are the market will offer Darnold more than Minnesota can afford.”
With several QB-needy teams—including the Raiders, Giants, Jets, Steelers, Browns, Titans, and Saints—potentially in the mix, the Vikings may struggle to match competitive offers.
One intriguing possibility? A reunion with the New York Jets.
Could Darnold Return to the Jets?
Of all the teams in the hunt, the Jets stand out as a potential landing spot. After selecting Darnold No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, New York moved on from him after just four seasons. Now, five years later, could the two sides reunite?
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin believes a fresh coaching staff in New York could change the equation.
“New coach Aaron Glenn saw firsthand in Detroit that a first-round castoff can revive his career with the right support,” Benjamin wrote on January 28. “Darnold could get a decent check if the Jets can’t trade up in the draft for a younger Aaron Rodgers replacement.”
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has floated another possibility—the transition tag. This move would allow Minnesota to match any offer Darnold receives in free agency.
“Bringing him back feels like a stronger possibility than it was five or six months ago,” Fowler wrote on February 1. “Some agents believe Darnold should demand Daniel Jones’ four-year, $160 million deal, while others peg him closer to Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $100 million contract.”
Vikings Have a Backup Plan—J.J. McCarthy
Minnesota might have a spending cap on Darnold, much like they did with Kirk Cousins last offseason. The difference this time? They already drafted their long-term replacement in J.J. McCarthy.
According to Graziano, Minnesota’s confidence in McCarthy was a key reason they were comfortable committing $35 million per year to Justin Jefferson.
“The Vikings can afford Jefferson because they anticipate operating on McCarthy’s rookie deal,” Graziano explained.
With McCarthy in place, the Vikings may opt to let Darnold test free agency and even bring back Daniel Jones as a veteran competitor for training camp.
What’s Next for Darnold?
If Minnesota declines to meet Darnold’s asking price, his market could be hotter than expected. Whether it’s a reunion with the Jets, a move to a QB-needy team like the Steelers or Raiders, or even a surprise return to Minnesota, one thing is certain—Darnold is set for a big payday.
