Sam Darnold gets why Vikings moved on from him…
After a 14-3 season for the Vikings in 2025, it was a shock to many that the group moved on from quarterback Sam Darnold.
It grew to become even more baffling when Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory the next season.
But Darnold holds no arduous emotions toward the Minnesota group that gave him another likelihood as a beginning quarterback.
“I totally understand the move to go with the younger quarterback on a rookie deal, and signing these veteran players that you can maybe pay a little bit more while he’s on his rookie deal, especially if you believe in him,” Darnold said on the “San Clemente Podcast.”
“Yeah, the business side of it, I totally understand. And like, I think J.J. [McCarthy] is a good player. I think he’s going to be a really good player in this league. I truly believe that.”
Sam Darnold on the Vikings taking part in against the Giants in 2024 Bill Kostroun/New York Post
While Darnold understood the choice, many today don’t, given how the group carried out in 2025.
The Vikings missed the playoffs with Darnold’s youthful predecessor, McCarthy, under heart.
While Darnold is assured the younger quarterback will flip it around next 12 months, his stats from last season don’t offer hope.
The quarterback threw for just 1,632 yards with a adverse touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 35.6 quarterback ranking.
Sam Darnold is pictured during the 2026 Super Bowl. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The season was so robust that the Vikings invested in another starter in the league, signing former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to present a competitors with McCarthy.
While Darnold understood that signing a rookie quarterback can be cheaper than maintaining him for another season, the funds required to keep him weren’t too steep.
Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy taking part in the giants during the 2025 season Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year, $100 million deal, and in 2026, he’ll only earn $27.5 million.
Another punch to the intestine for the Vikings’ quarterback room was that they supplied better compensation to now Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, who led the Colts to a 7-1 report before tearing his Achilles.
Rather than have one of those quarterbacks to enter the 2026 season, the Vikings have a major query mark at the place that may continue to harm their playoff possibilities.
Stay up to date with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest Sports news and content, fastidiously curated to keep you informed.
