Report: Sam Darnold not expected to return to Minnesota Vikings

Sam Darnold had an epic season with the Vikings in 2024, blowing away expectations and rejuvenating his career. The question over the past few months has been whether Minnesota would pay through the nose for him to return on a long-term deal after drafting J.J. McCarthy last season, and it looks like we finally have an answer.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Darnold isn’t expected to return to the Vikings, after another opening was created in Seattle, via now-former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders. Minnesota will reportedly turn their attention to other options, like Daniel Jones, who spent time with the team last season.

“With the Geno Smith trade opening a spot in Seattle, Sam Darnold is not expected to return to the #Vikings, who are now focused on other options they’ve been pursuing in recent weeks, sources tell The Insiders,” Pelissero posted on X. “Those options include re-signing Daniel Jones, who is mulling multiple opportunities.”

All told, the writing was on the wall once the Vikings decided not to franchise tag the quarterback. In Darnold’s case, Minnesota would have had no choice but to pay the 27-year-old QB around $55 million, and that ended up being too steep a number for the team to consider.

During the 2024 season, Darnold threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions on 66.2% passing. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season record before Minnesota lost in the NFC Wild Card round. His numbers are gaudy, but some less-than-stellar play during their final weeks of the season certainly seems to have contributed to the Vikings looking elsewhere for a bridge quarterback in 2025.

It’s only a matter of time before McCarthy is elevated for the Vikings now. The last time fans were able to see him on the field in a real game was when he was leading Michigan to a College Football Playoff National Championship victory over Washington. He was one of the winningest quarterbacks in college during his time in Ann Arbor, but wouldn’t get to showcase his abilities for very long before going down with a tear in his meniscus in his right knee during the team’s first preseason game. 

He underwent a second surgery in November to address swelling in the knee that developed after an increase in activity during the rehabilitation process. Now, all signs points toward McCarthy being back on track to return for the 2025 season, according to Pelissero.

“Last year’s first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, is expected to be cleared to practice this spring after missing his rookie season because of meniscus surgery,” the NFL Network analyst added. “With Darnold on the way out, McCarthy’s time could be coming sooner than later. But they still want to add a veteran.”

Regardless, Sam Darnold will be elsewhere, even if he has fond memories of his time in Minnesota. Expect teams like the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers to be in the mix, per reports.

— On3’s Barkley Truax contributed to this article.