Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Remnants of Darnold’s frigid finish are difficult to forget, pooled around him like a moat because of the significance of the two losses to Minnesota, resulting from his ice-cold performances.
After 13 games with a passer rating of 100-plus and 14 wins in his first 16 games with the Vikings, Darnold crashed in the winner-take-all regular-season finale at Detroit for the NFC North title. He completed 18 of 41 passes (43.9%) and averaged 4.05 yards per pass with a 55.5 passer rating. Rather than the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, the 14-win Vikings packed for a wild-card road game against NFC West winner Los Angeles (in Arizona). Playoff Sam wasn’t much better: 25 of 40 and sacked nine times.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell proclaimed the Vikings would welcome Darnold back and attempted a public-facing defense of Darnold’s nosedive, advising the public to assess the quarterback on his body of work in the 2024 season.
Reality is, Darnold lost a significant amount of money in those two spotlight games and enters free agency in complete turmoil. Teams will view the body of work as one thing, and his showing under the burden of playoff pressure as an unforgettable truth.
Can Darnold win games in the NFL? Certainly. Will he win when it matters? Ehhhhhh.
The best paths forward for Darnold are those without the guarantee of a No. 1 job. He could do well in the role he was signed by the Vikings to fill: bridge quarterback and mentor for first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.
Starter money disappeared in Detroit, and whatever was left went up in flames in Arizona against the Rams.
Here are five teams that could dial up Darnold as a stopgap in 2025.
1. Tennessee Titans
Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images 2. Cleveland Browns
Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images 3. Indianapolis Colts
4. New York Giants
Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll walks onto the field after loss to Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images 5. New York Jets
Nov 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images 