When Kirk Cousins went free to the Atlanta Falconsthe future of the Minnesota Vikings at the quarterback position was a big question mark.
How would Kevin O’Connell’s high-octane passing offense work if there wasn’t a solid signal caller leading the way? Well, they drafted a potential franchise quarterback in Michigan’s JJ McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and brought in veteran Sam Darnold as a competition at training camp.
When camp started, it was thought McCarthy would win the job, but even before suffering a knee injury that ended his rookie campaign before it started, O’Connell selected Darnold as his Week 1 starter.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold looks to pitch against the Atlanta Falcons at US Bank Stadium. (Matt Krohn-Imagn images)
The decision was one that not only boosted the Vikings’ playoff hopes but also rejuvenated Darnold’s NFL career.
After thirteen games this season, the Vikings are 11-2, a position not many thought they would be at all season with Darnold at the helm due to McCarthy’s injury. However, he soon showed the football world why Jets from New York helped him finish third overall at USC in 2018 – he is a true player who is on the right track.
But a Viking legend presents a harsh reality for fans hoping Darnold returns after this season (he’s only on a one-year contract).
VIKINGS’ SAM DARNOLD DESTROYS FALCONS WITH 5 TOUCHDOWNS, MEANS KIRK COUSINS’ RETURN TO MINNESOTA
“I think it’s going to be really tough, and the reason why I think it’s going to be really tough is that Sam has earned a legitimate quarterback contract in this league,” Vikings great tight end Kyle Rudolph told Fox News Digital , while also discussing his story. surprise for two Minnesota military veterans after teaming up with Polaris and Call of Duty in Week 13.
Rudolph is with other Vikings fans who believe Darnold should be back, but the reality is he earned a lucrative deal through these 13 games and the stats prove it.
Darnold ranks sixth in the NFL in passing yards (3,299), third in passing touchdowns (28), seventh in completion percentage (68.4%) and third in quarterback rating (108.1). He’s proving he can be an elite quarterback in the right system, but are the Vikings willing to spend more than $40 million per season?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Jefferson against the Atlanta Falcons at US Bank Stadium. (Matt Krohn-Imagn images)
Rudolph compared the situation to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he earned a three-year, $100 million contract this past offseason after leading them to the playoffs in 2023.
The difference between Tampa Bay and Minnesota is that the former did not have a high draft pick for a quarterback at the start of the season.
“If you’re Sam Darnold, you came to Minnesota and played out your one-year, $10 million contract. You deserve that big deal now,” Rudolph said. “I don’t think it’s in the Vikings’ best interest when you look at the rest of their roster. They can’t afford to spend $40 million on a quarterback. That’s why Kirk (Cousins) is in Atlanta now and not the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.
“Unfortunately, it’s a part of the game that’s difficult. You have to make decisions based on the salary cap and you pay a receiver $35 million. It’s really hard to pay the best receiver in football, who earns every cent he makes has.” , and then turn around and pay a quarterback $40-plus million a year.”
That receiver is Justin Jefferson, who is now the highest-paid shelter in the NFL after receiving his extension worth $35 million for the next five seasons. Darnold has developed a rapport with Jefferson over 13 games, as well as with Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and Aaron Jones, the other weapons on offense.
Darnold is comfortable, poised and a true leader on game day, which is everything you want in a quarterback. But as you’ve probably heard many times, this is a business, and Darnold has made the decision very difficult for Minnesota going forward.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold warms up before the Jaguars game, Nov. 10, 2024, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Until that decision is made, Rudolph will continue to support Darnold, who has bounced around the Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers until finally finding a home where he can thrive.
Maybe that’s where he ultimately wants to stay, but will the contract match his value?
GIVING BACK TO VETERANS
Rudolph got to see how Darnold & Co. their Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the Twin Cities, where he also surprised two Minnesota veterans with Polaris RZR Pro R vehicles during the Dec. 1 Salute to Service Game.
Rudolph leveraged his fundraising platform Altroo and partnered with Polaris and Call of Duty for this special surprise.
“Two Marine Corps gentlemen from Minnesota, they almost felt like they didn’t deserve such an incredible honor because they said, ‘There are so many others who have done what I’ve done and deserve it more than I do.’ They couldn’t believe they were the two chosen to receive these Polaris RZRs,” Rudolph said.
Kyle Rudolph explained why he thinks it’s “really tough” to see Sam Darnold return to the Vikings next season. (PROPOSE)
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The veterans also played the brand new Call of Duty Black Ops 6 game with Vikings defensemen Pat Jones II and Ivan Pace Jr.
And through March 1, 2025, Rudolph has pointed out that football fans can come inside at Altro for a chance to win a Polaris RZR Pro R through donations benefiting the Call of Duty Endowment, a program that helps veterans pursue high-quality careers and supports veteran wellness.
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