Inside the Vikings' Quarterback Gamble: How Letting Sam Darnold Walk Sparked Internal Fractures in Minnesota
As Sam Darnold punched his ticket to the Super Bowl with a gutsy performance in the NFC Championship Game - 346 yards, three touchdowns, and a 31-27 win over the Rams - a growing number of voices around the NFL are asking the same question: What exactly were the Minnesota Vikings thinking last offseason?
Less than a year ago, Darnold was in purple and gold, fresh off a season where he led the Vikings to 14 wins and a playoff berth. Now, he’s the centerpiece of a red-hot Seahawks offense, while Minnesota is left picking up the pieces of a quarterback room that never quite found its footing in 2025.
A Decision That Still Stings in Eagan
The Vikings let Darnold walk in free agency last spring, opting instead to hand the reins to rookie JJ McCarthy. It was a bold move - one that was met with both optimism and skepticism inside the TCO Performance Center. But as the 2025 season unfolded, it became increasingly clear that McCarthy wasn’t ready for the spotlight, and the offense sputtered because of it.
Meanwhile, Darnold was thriving in Seattle. His poise under pressure, command of the offense, and chemistry with receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba turned the Seahawks into one of the most dangerous passing attacks in the league. And while hindsight always has a perfect record, the Vikings’ leadership - head coach Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah - are paid to see around corners, not just react to the rearview mirror.
Why the Vikings Let Darnold Go
So, what led Minnesota to move on from a quarterback who had just delivered a double-digit win season?
According to reports, the decision wasn’t unanimous. In fact, there was significant division within the organization.
Some believed Darnold’s late-season struggles - including a Week 18 loss to Detroit and a Wild Card defeat to the Rams - were enough to question his long-term viability as the franchise quarterback. Others felt those stumbles were more about the offensive line and play design than Darnold himself.
There was also a belief among some in the building that another year in O’Connell’s system would allow Darnold to take another step forward. His professionalism, experience, and familiarity with the scheme were viewed as assets that could outweigh a rough two-game stretch.
But ultimately, the top decision-makers weren’t sold. They chose to reset the quarterback clock with McCarthy, a move that now looks more like a leap of faith than a calculated risk.
Internal Frustration Boils Over
As Seattle kept stacking wins and Darnold kept dealing, frustration began to mount within the Vikings’ facility. Players and staff couldn’t help but notice the contrast: In Seattle, Darnold was leading one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.
In Minnesota, the offense looked broken. The locker room, once a strength, started to fracture.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson - one of the NFL’s most electric talents - endured the worst season of his career. Meanwhile, Jaxon Smith-Njigba was climbing the receiving charts in Seattle, thriving with Darnold at the helm.
The comparisons weren’t just external. Inside the Vikings' building, people were talking.
The gap in production between the two teams - and the two quarterbacks - was impossible to ignore.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Vikings finished 9-8 and missed the playoffs for the second time in four years under O’Connell. The team entered the offseason with more questions than answers, particularly at quarterback. And as more details emerge, it’s clear that the debate over Darnold wasn’t just a standard internal discussion - it was a flashpoint that revealed deeper philosophical divides within the organization.
Some voices pushed to tag Darnold or work out a trade, believing he was too valuable to lose for just a third-round compensatory pick. Others were ready to move on, convinced that McCarthy could grow into the role quickly. But as the 2025 season played out, it became evident that the Vikings had miscalculated - not just on McCarthy’s readiness, but on the ripple effects of letting a competent, experienced starter walk out the door.
The Fallout Continues
Now, as the Seahawks prepare for the Super Bowl and the Vikings prepare for a pivotal offseason, the Darnold decision looms large. And it’s not the only sign of tension in Eagan.
Reports of internal “schisms” have surfaced - not just over the quarterback situation, but on the defensive side of the ball as well. Former assistant head coach Mike Pettine recently revealed a rift between himself and defensive coordinator Brian Flores that dates back to last offseason.
It’s clear that the Vikings are a team in transition - not just on the field, but in the front office and coaching staff. The decisions made this offseason will shape the future of the franchise. But one thing is already certain: letting Sam Darnold go has become a defining moment, and not in the way Minnesota hoped.
As the rest of the league watches Darnold lead Seattle into the biggest game of the year, the Vikings are left wondering what could have been - and what comes next.