A once unlikely hero’s tale continues to unfold with the Minnesota Vikings.
Despite predictions of an inevitable decline, Sam Darnold’s remarkable journey keeps defying expectations.
As the team prepares for its wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams, they’re still very much a threat in their unexpected playoff visit.
However, Darnold’s recent performance has raised some eyebrows.
In a crucial game against the Detroit Lions, he completed 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards as the Vikings absorbed a 31-9 loss.
That defeat didn’t just cost them the NFC North crown, it squandered their chance at the No. 1 seed.
FOX Sports host Nick Wright sees Darnold facing a pivotal moment, with his playoff performance potentially reshaping his future.
“What’s he got to gain? Ah, probably 100 million bucks. Sam Darnold, if they win this weekend or Monday night against the Rams, then we’re like, ‘Okay, 14 wins. Unbelievable numbers.’ … If they win, at the very least, he gets franchise tagged next year. That’s $42 million for a player that has never gotten a long-term contract,” Wright said on “First Things First.”
“Sam Darnold. What’s he got to gain? Probably $100M.”@getnickwright breaks down who has the most to gain in Wild Card Weekend: pic.twitter.com/y6qJHoUQRb
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 10, 2025
Wright’s assessment goes deeper, suggesting a playoff victory could push Darnold’s market value into nine-figure territory.
There’s also the possibility the upcoming free agent could receive a franchise tag worth $42 million next season if the Vikings want to secure his services.
A postseason win, Wright argues, would cement Darnold’s position as the franchise’s future, finally giving him the job security and substantial payday that’s eluded him throughout his career.
Darnold’s transformation has been remarkable, from signing a modest one-year deal to becoming the Vikings’ driving force.
When he arrived, the expectation was a quarterback competition with rookie J.J. McCarthy following Kirk Cousins’ departure.
Instead, Darnold engineered 14 wins and reshaped both his narrative and the Vikings’ path.
