Vikings QB Sam Darnold is already lined up for a massive contract next spring
By Chris Schad,
1 days ago
It's only five games but Sam Darnold has become one of the best storylines in the NFL this season.
After failed stints as a starter with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, Darnold has led the Minnesota Vikings to a 5-0 record and his early performance could help him land a massive contract.
Spotrac has included Darnold in their latest free agent projections and believes the 26-year-old could land a four-year contract worth $126.8 million – an average value of $31.7 million – when he becomes a free agent next March.
Over the Cap also believes Darnold is in line to get paid next year, placing his 2024 valuation at $27.5 million.
It's proof that life comes at you fast as a quarterback in the NFL. It wasn't long ago that Darnold was one of the biggest busts in NFL history after he was selected with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.
After failing to live up to the expectations thanks to poor infrastructures with the Jets and Panthers, Darnold spent the 2023 season as Brock Purdy's backup with the San Francisco 49ers and many were surprised when the Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract hours after Kirk Cousins agreed to sign with the Atlanta Falcons last March.
But Darnold has proved his detractors wrong through the first five games, completing a career-high 63.5% of his passes for 1,111 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions.
While it is a small sample size, Darnold's projected contract shows how far teams will go to solve the quarterback position. Cousins was projected for a contract of around $30 million per year last season but the Falcons signed him to a four-year, $180 million contract despite his age (36) and the fact he was coming off a torn Achilles.
Projecting which team could go to the same lengths is a fun exercise at this point of the season.
The Los Angeles Rams could be one potential suitor depending on what they do with Matthew Stafford. Stafford is under contract for two more seasons but he will also turn 37 in February. If the Rams, who enter Sunday with a 1-4 record, trade Stafford at the deadline, it could open up cap space to sign a younger option in Darnold, who would also stay in a system similar to the one Kevin O'Connell is running in Minnesota.
A return to the Panthers could also be in the cards as they're dealing with another draft bust in Bryce Young. Patience has never been a strength of Carolina owner David Tepper and with $41 million in cap space , they could take a swing to land Darnold next spring.
Other teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans could also be in the market for a new quarterback in 2025, creating a potential bidding war for Darnold's services.
This could lead Darnold elsewhere even if they want to buy an extra year for J.J. McCarthy's recovery from a torn meniscus. But with the 10th overall pick in last April's draft waiting in the wings, it's looking even more likely the Vikings could let Darnold cash in and turn to McCarthy next season.
Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; Minnesota Vikings Quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to throw a pass in the 1st Quarter against New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
I just started watching the games again. I see a change with our defense and offense! can we just get through this season without.....yes, fkn money in the way!
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