Sam Darnold signed a one-year deal worth $4.5 million as a backup with the 49ers before the 2023 season. He signed a one-year deal worth $10 million to be a bridge quarterback this offseason with the Vikings.
After proving he is a starting NFL quarterback, Darnold’s price tag has increased significantly.
Darnold’s future beyond this season is unclear, as first-round quarterback JJ McCarthy is spending his rookie season on injured reserve as the heir apparent for the Vikings, and Darnold has cemented himself as a top free agent for 2025.
“I would hope he would say, ‘Hey, the body of work I’ve done so far will take care of the future. Really, all I have to worry about is this moment,'” the offensive coordinator said. Wes Phillips said this via a video from the team on Tuesday. ‘I think we all know that Sam becomes a sought-after type of man from wherever that may be. Whatever his future, I know all of us in this building will be happy for him, wherever that may be. I don’t think he has to worry about that anymore.
“The concern might have been, ‘Okay, this could be my chance to play.’ He’s past all that. He has proven the doubters and he has proven that he can play in this league. Let’s just make it the best season possible.”
Darnold, 27, has changed the narrative of a career that has taken him from the Jets’ third overall pick to Carolina, San Francisco and Minnesota with an MVP-type resume. He has thrown for 3,299 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
And this season’s Darnold story remains unwritten.
“Sam really paid attention to all the clichés: be where your feet are planted; be in the moment; let’s go 1-0 this week; let’s worry about this game plan,” Phillips said. “Whether there’s been praise – and there’s been a lot of that for him this year – he hasn’t let that affect him, and if games don’t necessarily go the way we want or he wants, he hasn’t let that affect him. also been consistent in his attitude, in his approach and in his work ethic, and that’s where we want to be: the next game, and for this week that’s Chicago.”
Darnold isn’t just playing for this season, though. He’s also playing for a big payday next season.
His projected contract will continue to grow with the wins and touchdown passes, and depending on how the Vikings do in the postseason, Darnold may leave his current team with no choice but to pay him.
