The Minnesota Vikings, facing the potential departure of Kirk Cousins in a few weeks, are ready to part with the seasoned quarterback amid reports suggesting they have their sights set on Sam Darnold as a temporary replacement.
According to a report by Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press on February 25, while Cousins is attracting interest from the Atlanta Falcons as he approaches free agency on March 13, the Vikings are also considering bringing in Darnold as a veteran stopgap alongside a rookie quarterback.
Walters wrote, “Atlanta still appears to be Cousins’ likely destination. However, there’s now speculation that the Vikings might pursue free agent Sam Darnold, 26, to serve as a transitional QB if Cousins departs before April’s draft. If Cousins does leave, the Vikings will then explore the possibility of trading up in the draft from their current position at No. 11 to acquire a top-tier quarterback.”
Although Darnold may not generate the same level of excitement among fans, he boasts NFL starting experience and could maintain the efficiency of the Vikings’ offense, which performed well with Nick Mullens at the helm, throughout the 2024 season. The intent behind signing Darnold would be to stay competitive while grooming a promising quarterback prospect selected in the first round of the draft.
Additionally, there is optimism that Darnold could experience a late-career surge similar to Baker Mayfield’s resurgence last year.
Sam Darnold Garnering Buzz as This Year’s Baker Mayfield
Selected as the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets, Darnold garnered attention for his impressive arm strength and accuracy during his college career.
However, his transition to the struggling New York franchise didn’t yield the desired results, leading to his trade to the Carolina Panthers after completing three seasons. Carolina exercised Darnold’s fifth-year option, essentially securing two years with the former USC standout.
During his time with the Panthers, Darnold made strides in reducing his turnover tendencies. Unfortunately, an ankle injury in 2022 prompted Carolina to trade with the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, solidifying their intention to draft Bryce Young and subsequently letting Darnold depart.
Subsequently, Darnold has been honing his skills as a backup, operating under the guidance of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Similar to Mayfield, who benefited from working with Sean McVay, a disciple of Shanahan, before leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an unexpected playoff appearance, Darnold has been exposed to some of the NFL’s most quarterback-friendly coaching and offensive schemes that complement his abilities.
Darnold showcased promise in his start during the 49ers’ regular-season finale, completing 16 of 26 pass attempts for 189 yards and two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams, despite primarily playing with backups in a narrow 21-20 loss.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero expressed optimism during Super Bowl week, likening Darnold’s potential resurgence to that of Mayfield, suggesting that the Vikings could consider him as a viable option if Cousins lands elsewhere in free agency. Pelissero suggested that Darnold could provide an economical solution for Minnesota while also allowing room for the development of a rookie quarterback.
Former NFL Exec Believes Vikings Coaching Staff Would Buy Into Darnold
While swapping Cousins for Darnold in 2024 might initially seem like a downgrade at quarterback for the Vikings, there’s a strategic opportunity to enhance the overall team roster with the significant cap savings Darnold’s contract would provide.
Former NFL executive Randy Mueller emphasized the importance of alignment among all parties involved, stating that Darnold’s cost-effective contract, estimated at $10 million annually, opens up possibilities for the team to bolster other areas of the roster. This financial flexibility could be a compelling pitch to coaches and decision-makers.
In contrast, Cousins could potentially demand a staggering $45 million per year in his upcoming free agency. Despite Darnold having earned $53 million over his career, his contract after his rookie deal was notably more affordable at just $4.5 million annually.
The San Francisco 49ers, recognizing Darnold’s potential, offered him a contract with the opportunity to compete for the starting role against Brock Purdy and Trey Lance. Thus, a $10 million per year deal for Darnold wouldn’t be an unreasonable proposition for the Vikings to consider extending.
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