Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold was signed to a one-year deal this offseason to serve as the team’s bridge quarterback to rookie No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy.
However, plans have drastically changed.
Multiple knee surgeries have washed away McCarthy’s rookie year, and Darnold has exploded and put himself in the mix for a nine-figure deal in the offseason.
It’s unclear if Darnold’s future is in Minnesota because he has this team at 12-2 and is earning himself more money with each win, and Colin Cowherd made a surprising suggestion for what Darnold’s next team should be.
In a recent episode of “The Herd,” Cowherd suggested the San Francisco 49ers sign Darnold and bring him back to replace Brock Purdy.
He said, “People have always confused the story with the truth. I’m going to take the better arm, the better athlete, and the better price, and it’s not difficult.”
The 49ers should sign Sam Darnold over Brock Purdy:
“People have always confused the story with the truth… I don’t even think it’s tough.” — @ColinCowherd pic.twitter.com/SFnHJ4p5Q3
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 18, 2024
Cowherd said both Darnold and Purdy have shown that they can succeed with a great offensive coordinator and great talent around them but aren’t the kind of guys who can be expected to elevate bad situations.
Purdy has regressed this season largely due to all the issues that have plagued the Niners, while Darnold has been this year’s Baker Mayfield and proven he can be a star quarterback in this league.
There will be no shortage of suitors for Darnold in the offseason, but few expected the Niners to enter the mix.
Watch to see if this narrative comes to fruition in a few months.
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