The Minnesota Vikings have found success with quarterback, who they signed to a one-year, $10 million deal in free agency, despite initially searching for a QB in the NFL draft. Darnold has led the team to a 4-0 start, and if the Seattle Seahawks lose their upcoming game, the Vikings will be one of only two undefeated teams, alongside the Kansas City Chiefs.
This is particularly surprising since Minnesota has been underdogs in their last three victories against strong playoff teams (49ers, Texans, Packers). Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr believes the Vikings have seen enough to justify signing the 27-year-old Darnold to a contract extension, despite rookie QB J.J. McCarthy recovering from an injury. Orr argues that Darnold’s potential value as both a mentor and competitor for McCarthy makes a long-term deal worth the risk.
Financially, Minnesota has $22 million tied up in McCarthy for the next several years, while Dak Prescott’s $60 million per year contract has set the market for top quarterbacks. If Darnold continues his MVP-caliber performance, a new three-year deal at half of Prescott’s rate would be a bargain. Comparisons to Baker Mayfield’s $100 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers further emphasize the potential value of locking in Darnold.
So far, Darnold has thrown for 932 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, with a completion rate of nearly 69%. His critics have largely quieted, and if the Vikings choose to extend him, doing so sooner could save the team money. However, they may wait a few more games to assess his durability and performance under pressure before making a decision.
Leave a Reply