The Minnesota Vikings made attempts to bring back quarterback Sam Darnold for the 2025 season before he signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency, but the contract they offered him — with a focus on their long-term goal — is the reason why he chose to walk away, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
During June 17’s episode of “The Breer Report,” Breer evaluated the Vikings’ current quarterback situation and their ongoing plans to move J.J. McCarthy — their 2024 first-round draft pick — to the forefront as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
In the process, Breer confirmed what the Vikings had said before free agency: that they had engaged in discussions with Darnold about potentially re-signing him for next year. He also revealed, however, that the Vikings were only willing to offer Darnold “what would have been essentially a one-year deal” to have him compete with McCarthy.
“[The Vikings] tried to bring Sam Darnold back on what would have been essentially a one-year deal. They tried to bring Daniel Jones back as a $15 million insurance policy. They at least had conversations with Aaron Rodgers,” Breer said Wednesday.
“What that came down to is we don’t want to press pause on the J.J. McCarthy era. With Darnold or Jones, they would have been pushing McCarthy [for the starting job]. I think Darnold would have had a really good chance to win that job, but they wouldn’t be taking McCarthy out of the equation and saying, ‘OK, get ready for Year 3,’ like they would have with Rodgers.”
Will Vikings Regret Letting Sam Darnold Move On?
Ultimately, Darnold found he could do better than the Vikings’ one-year contract offer. He signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract that included $37.5 million guaranteed and guaranteed him a place as the Seahawks’ unrivaled starter for the 2025 season.
It was a reward Darnold had earned after an impressive, career-reviving year in 2024. It could also become a contract the Vikings regret not giving him, if McCarthy falls short.
Darnold starred for the Vikings in 2024, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and helping guide them to a 14-3 record. Not only did he achieve numerous career-high marks, but he also received the first Pro Bowl recognition of his career along with votes for MVP and Comeback Player of the Year.
For the Vikings, Darnold’s success provided a saving grace, but not enough of one for them to reconsider their plans with McCarthy and commit to Darnold for the long term. After all, a three-year extension for Darnold — as he signed with the Seahawks — would have covered the remainder of McCarthy’s rookie contract (minus his fifth-year option).
Practically, the Vikings couldn’t have made that decision after investing a top-10 pick into McCarthy and not getting a chance to evaluate him properly as a starter in 2024, but it does force high expectations onto McCarthy for what is effectively his rookie year.
J.J. McCarthy Will Get Keys to Vikings Offense in 2025
Darnold’s departure allowed the Vikings to shift their focus back to their primary goal: trying to determine whether McCarthy can be their long-term answer at quarterback.
To prepare, the Vikings made several modifications to an already sound offense during the 2025 offseason. They strengthened the offensive line in front of their quarterback, investing big money in center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries in free agency and using the No. 24 overall selection in the 2025 draft to add left guard Donovan Jackson.
Now, McCarthy is in the driver’s seat of the Vikings’ well-built offense with the keys in his hand, ready for his chance to deliver on his NFL promise as a top-10 overall pick. He showed promise in Michigan’s pro-style, run-heavy offense in 2022 and 2023, throwing for 5,710 yards with 44 touchdowns and nine picks and completing 68.5% of his passes.
He will also have a well-respected offensive playcaller to help him in Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who played an influential role in McCarthy’s selection in 2024.
While it remains to be seen whether McCarthy will become the quarterback the Vikings need, there are heaps of reasons to be encouraged about the path they are on in 2025.
