Sam Darnold, who doesn’t have a job for next season yet, could sign a massive $170 million contract

As Sam Darnold set to enter free agency, the Vikings are projected to extend star quarterback with a lucrative four-year deal.

Sam Darnold, who doesn’t have a job for next season yet, could sign a massive $170 million contract

Sam Darnold (Via ABC4 Utah)

Sam Darnold is having a heck-of-a-turnaround season in his career with the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to the playoffs with a 14-3 record. Now it’s the time for judgment: Whether the Vikings believe he’s worthy of another chance or would J.J. McCarthy will finally get a chance to shine as he did in Michigan, acquiring the starting role. 

When the Vikings acquired Darnold last offseason, they had little expectations from him given the missing embellishments on his resume. But after accumulating 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, he was honored with the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year. And now it seems the Vikings are not ready to let him go. 

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MLFootball projected that the Vikings may reward Darnold with a lucrative four-year deal worth $170 million, including a guaranteed sum of $100 million. Although there hasn’t been any official news, at least to say, not even a hint by the franchise regarding extending Darnold, who’s coming off a Pro Bowl season with a passer rating of 102.5. 

However, there is a fair chance that Darnold may not consider it, given rookie McCarthy is aiming to make his debut after recovering from his torn meniscus, due to which he had to sit out his entire rookie season and the Vikings entrusted Darnold for the starting role.

Hitting the free agency would probably turn more flourishing for him as being the top free-agent quarterback in the market, especially with his spectacular arm talent and the league’s desperate need for good quarterbacks.

Vikings face tough choice on Sam Darnold as free agency looms

As much as the Vikings may want to keep the Pro Bowler, it can turn out to be pretty expensive for them, even if they go for a franchise tag. Though he certainly poses as a safer option, he may not be the right choice considering the bigger picture of a long-term franchise quarterback. 

Darnold’s 2024 is a rollercoaster ride we haven’t experienced at the QB position, with seemingly zero expectation to start, maximum output nearing the finish line, then a drop off of a cliff to end the season. A tag to keep him in Minnesota is likely too expensive ($40M+).

Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti wrote
Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold (Image via Sports Illustrated)

Eliminating the option of the Vikings, Ginnitti reported that Darnold is likely to sign a $160 million contract of four years from the free agency market. The New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, with their desperate need for a potential franchise quarterback, could present themselves as landing spots for Darnold.