The Minnesota Vikings aren’t going to let quarterback Sam Darnold go anywhere if he keeps tossing long touchdown passes.
Early in the second quarter of Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers, Darnold threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to third-year wide receiver Jalen Nailor on a 2nd-and-8.
Darnold — who signed a one-year, $10M deal in free agency — has shattered expectations this season. Through his first 15 starts, he has career highs in passing yards (3,776), TD passes (32) and passer rating (105.4).
Although the Vikings drafted rookie QB J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick, Darnold’s stellar play will likely convince Minnesota to re-sign him.
“[The Vikings] spent a first-round pick on J.J. McCarthy last spring, and Darnold is in for a big payday. Despite that, after conversations with a team source, one thing is clear: The Vikings want Darnold back in Minnesota for 2025,” wrote The Athletic’s Dianna Russini in a piece published Saturday.
Keeping the QB seems smart for Minnesota. Darnold, 27, clearly suits head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. Plus, McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason and may need more time to recover.
