The Minnesota Vikings made a bold call this past offseason-one that’s still sparking debate across the fanbase. Instead of re-signing Sam Darnold after a career-best year, the team chose to hand the keys to rookie quarterback J.J.
McCarthy. And while hindsight is always 20/20, the contrast between the two quarterbacks’ seasons has only added fuel to the conversation.
Let’s rewind for a second. Darnold came to Minnesota on a one-year deal, expected to serve as a bridge quarterback while the team groomed McCarthy.
But when McCarthy went down with a season-ending injury, Darnold didn’t just hold the fort-he thrived. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season finish and posted the best numbers of his career: a 66.2% completion rate, 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a 102.5 passer rating.
That’s not just solid-it’s franchise-caliber production.
Still, the Vikings hesitated. Darnold’s shaky performance in the regular-season finale against Detroit and the playoff loss to the Rams reportedly gave the front office pause. Rather than offer him a new deal or use the franchise tag, Minnesota let him walk.
Seattle, on the other hand, didn’t blink. The Seahawks traded Geno Smith to the Raiders and signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal.
So far, that investment is paying off. Darnold has led Seattle to a 10-3 start and is putting up top-tier numbers across the board-sixth in completion percentage (68.1), sixth in passing yards (3,122), tied for fifth in touchdown passes (22), and fifth in passer rating (103.8).
Simply put, he’s been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league this season.
Meanwhile, McCarthy has struggled to find his rhythm in Minnesota. There have been flashes, sure-like his most recent outing against Washington, where he completed a career-best 69.6% of his passes for 163 yards and a personal high of three touchdowns with no interceptions.
That’s the kind of game that gives you a glimpse of what he could be. But it also underscores the inconsistency that’s plagued much of his rookie campaign.
Now, here’s where things get interesting.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently floated the idea that Darnold could be a surprise trade or cut candidate this coming offseason. And before you scoff, it’s worth looking at the structure of his deal.
Darnold’s contract with Seattle includes no guaranteed money beyond 2025. If he’s still on the roster five days after the Super Bowl, $17.5 million of his 2026 salary becomes fully guaranteed.
But if the Seahawks were to move on before that date, they’d owe him nothing further and would eat just $25.6 million in dead money.
That flexibility is by design. The Seahawks have a history of structuring veteran contracts this way-giving themselves the ability to pivot if needed.
And while Darnold is currently ninth in QBR (64.3) and completing 68.3% of his passes, nothing is ever set in stone in this league. Especially with rookie Jalen Milroe waiting in the wings, even if he’s not expected to be a serious contender for the job until at least his third season.
So, could a Darnold-Vikings reunion ever be on the table?
It’s a long shot, no doubt. The Vikings are facing serious salary cap constraints and would need to do some financial gymnastics to make room for a quarterback with Darnold’s price tag. There’s also the optics of it all-bringing back a player you let walk after a breakout year is a tough sell, both publicly and internally.
But this is the NFL. Things change fast.
Injuries, cap casualties, coaching changes-any number of factors could shift the landscape. And if Darnold were to suddenly become available again, Minnesota would at least have to consider the possibility, especially if McCarthy doesn’t show more consistent progress down the stretch.
For now, the Vikings are riding with their young quarterback and hoping his latest performance is a sign of things to come. But as we’ve seen time and time again in this league, you never say never.