After a 14-3 season for the Vikings in 2025, it was a shock to many that the team moved on from quarterback Sam Darnold.
It became even more baffling when Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory the next season.
But Darnold holds no hard feelings toward the Minnesota team that gave him another chance as a starting 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.”
While Darnold understood the decision, many today do not, given how the team performed in 2025.
The Vikings missed the playoffs with Darnold’s younger predecessor, McCarthy, under center.
While Darnold is confident the young quarterback will turn it around next year, his stats from last season do not offer hope.
The quarterback threw for just 1,632 yards with a negative touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 35.6 quarterback rating.
The season was so tough that the Vikings invested in another starter in the league, signing former Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to provide a competition with McCarthy.
While Darnold understood that signing a rookie quarterback would be cheaper than keeping him for another season, the finances required to keep him were not too steep.
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 gut for the Vikings’ quarterback room was that they offered better compensation to now Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, who led the Colts to a 7-1 record before tearing his Achilles.
Rather than have one of those quarterbacks to enter the 2026 season, the Vikings have a major question mark at the position that could continue to hurt their playoff chances.
