Minnesota Vikings Address Sam Darnold’s Future After Shocking Playoff Exit

The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the offseason with critical decisions ahead, particularly concerning the future of quarterback Sam Darnold and their approach to the 2025 season. While Darnold had a career year, helping the team to 14 wins and near a top NFC playoff seed, his late-season performances raised doubts about his long-term future with the team.

The Vikings’ season ended with a disappointing wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where Darnold struggled significantly. He was sacked nine times and appeared hesitant, completing just 25 of 40 passes in the 27-9 defeat. This came after a lackluster performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 18, ending in a blowout loss. Darnold’s underwhelming play in those high-pressure moments leaves the Vikings with tough decisions heading into 2025.

Originally posted on Viral Sports News | By Jake Rogers | Last updated Jan 17, 2025 3:15 AM ET

The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the offseason with critical decisions ahead, particularly concerning the future of quarterback Sam Darnold and their approach to the 2025 season. While Darnold had a career year, helping the team to 14 wins and near a top NFC playoff seed, his late-season performances raised doubts about his long-term future with the team.

The Vikings’ season ended with a disappointing wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, where Darnold struggled significantly. He was sacked nine times and appeared hesitant, completing just 25 of 40 passes in the 27-9 defeat. This came after a lackluster performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 18, ending in a blowout loss. Darnold’s underwhelming play in those high-pressure moments leaves the Vikings with tough decisions heading into 2025.

While head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed pride in Darnold’s efforts, calling his 2024 season “the best football of his career,” the team’s front office remains focused on future roster flexibility.

“When I think about the year that Sam had, I envisioned him having that kind of year when we identified him as a guy that we wanted to add to this organization,” O’Connell said. “I’m really proud of Sam for that.”

However, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took a more cautious approach when discussing Darnold’s future.

“We got to see Sam play some incredible football for us,” Adofo-Mensah noted, referring to key victories in Seattle and Green Bay. “There was a lot of games where he was a win-because-of type player.” Still, he tempered that praise with the need to look at the bigger picture and whether Sam Darnold fits into the team’s long-term championship aspirations.

The Vikings’ quarterback situation is complicated by the presence of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to injury but is expected to be back in 2025. Adofo-Mensah made it clear that McCarthy remains part of the team’s future plans, acknowledging the significant investment in the young signal-caller.

“J.J. being a high draft pick is somebody that you’re invested in for the future,” Adofo-Mensah said, though he also stressed that McCarthy’s role is not yet fully defined.

With J.J. McCarthy potentially ready to take over, the Vikings are left weighing their options. Darnold is set to enter free agency, and while his performances in 2024 showed his value, it seems likely that the Vikings are prepared for him to seek more money and a starting opportunity elsewhere. The team will need to decide on whether to re-sign Darnold or move forward with McCarthy at the helm.

As for O’Connell, he faces pressure to lead the Vikings back to the playoffs and beyond in 2025. He has one year left on his contract, but expressed confidence in his relationship with ownership and the team’s direction.

“I love being the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings,” O’Connell said. “I love our ownership, I have a great relationship with our ownership.”

The Minnesota Vikings are now faced with a key offseason full of uncertainty. As they look to build a roster that can compete for a Super Bowl, their decision on the quarterback position and how they utilize J.J. McCarthy will be pivotal in shaping their future. Whether Sam Darnold remains part of that future will likely be one of the biggest questions to answer in the coming months.