HOFer Cris Carter praises Sam Darnold’s game with comparison to former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins as contract situation looms

Minnesota Vikings have a decision to make as teams circle around Sam Darnold to hand him a good deal for next season.

HOFer Cris Carter praises Sam Darnold’s game with comparison to former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins as contract situation looms

Cris Carter believes Sam Darnold has proven he was better than Kirk Cousins in the same system (Image via X/SS)

Sam Darnold had a Cinderella season in 2024. He was supposed to be the backup, but JJ McCarthy‘s injury pushed him to start every game for the Minnesota Vikings. What transpired from that backup role has become part of NFL folklore.

The Vikings had a similar situation with another backup when Case Keenum had a monumental year in the 2017 season. His performances were such that the Vikings reached the NFC Championship game but eventually lost.

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However, the following season that absurd season did not land him a major contract as the Minnesota Vikings decided not to franchise tag him. Instead, they signed Kirk Cousins to a major contract. Their newest QB then went on to have good seasons with the team.

His final two were with current head coach Kevin O’Connell calling the plays. In the second of them, he was on pace to have his best season with the franchise prior to his Achilles injury. Based on that data, Vikings Hall of Famer Cris Carter had this to say about Sam Darnold while on Up & Adams.

This offense was no different than when Kirk Cousins was there, and I think they expanded it from when Kirk Cousins was there, because of Sam’s ability to be more mobile. That’s underrated. His overall athleticism and ability to get out of trouble and make plays on his own throwing on the run was exceptional.

Cris Carter said

Carter added that Sam Darnold is all of 27 years old. Therefore, he believes the Minnesota Vikings could be better off handing the Pro Bowler a decent deal. There are reports that suggest the franchise could tag him to see how he does next season before they hand him a deserving long-term deal.

Sam Darnold could benefit from QB hungry market

The Minnesota Vikings are probably deep in discussion on to progress with the Sam Darnold situation. At the same time, his performances this past season has made him a target. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini was speaking on The Rich Eisen Show and said this when asked about the QB situation at the combine.

Sam Darnold could leave Minnesota Vikings with QB needy teams circling
Sam Darnold could leave Minnesota Vikings with QB needy teams circling (Image via X)

How desperate teams are for a quarterback. There are teams starving right now. I don’t know if this could’ve played out any better for Sam Darnold. I have a very strong feeling that Sam Darnold is going to have a very fat saturated market. Sam Darnold deserves to be paid.

Dianna Russini said

The journalist mentioned that the NFL Draft combine is playing into the hands of the Vikings QB. There have been numerous reports that teams are not high on either Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. Therefore, she believes it could play into the hands of Darnold.

His Pro Bowl season is rumored to make him a target for a $170 million deal with $100 million guaranteed. But it may not be with the Vikings as they have JJ McCarthy ready to roll. The days leading up to the combine could give a definitive answer.