Six-year veteran quarterback Sam Darnold signed a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold, a former first-round pick, spent the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers but has also played for the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.
A new QB in Minnesota: The #Vikings are expected to sign #49ers QB Sam Darnold, per me and @TomPelissero.
Darnold gets a 1-year deal worth $10M, sources say, and joins former teammate Josh McCown, who is Minnesota’s new QB coach.
Kirk Cousins out, Darnold in. pic.twitter.com/QzrZDJ1Sdq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract
After winning the backup job in training camp, Sam Darnold spent the majority of the 2023 season holding a clipboard on Sundays. In total, the veteran appeared in 10 games while making one start in a meaningless Week 18 game. While on the field, the former third-overall pick completed 60.9% of his passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Sam Darnold originally entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the New York Jets, the USC product immediately earned a starting job. Starting in 13 games, the rookie completed 57.7% of his passes while finishing his season with a somewhat promising stat line of 2,865 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
Darnold picked up where he left off in 2019 and, after a minor battle with mono, continued to show promise without much consistency. Starting in 13 games, the quarterback completed 61.9% of his passes for 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The USC product took a step back in 2020, finishing with nine touchdowns to 11 interceptions while leading the team to a 2-10 record while starting.
Now holding the second-overall pick, the Jets decided to trade Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers immediately picked up the fifth-year option for Sam Darnold, effectively naming him their quarterback of the present. Unfortunately, the former first-round pick did not improve in his new environment. Starting in 11 games while making 12 appearances, the quarterback completed just 59.9% of his passes for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He spent the majority of 2022 as Carolina’s backup but guided the team to a 4-2 record in his six starts.
Main Photo: Sergio Estrada – USA Today Sports
