Sam Darnold spent the 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings. He was named as the team’s starter after rookie JJ McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury. He helped the team make the playoffs, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in a wild-card showdown.
However, instead of extending his one-year deal, the Vikings decided to move ahead with JJ McCarthy and part ways with Sam Darnold last season. Last month, on the “Sam Clemente Podcast,” the quarterback opened up about his departure from Minnesota, highlighting his understanding of the situation.
“I totally understand the move to go with a 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. “The business side of it, I totally understand it.
“I think JJ is a good player. I think he’s gonna be a really good player in this league. I truly believe that. For them to see that and be like, … the business part of it, it was like okay, like, I totally understand it.”
However, this move did not work out in favor of the Vikings. JJ McCarthy had multiple injuries last season, limiting him to just 10 games while recording 1,632 yards and 11 TDs passing. The team finished third in the NFC North with a 9-8 record, failing to make the postseason.
What did Sam Darnold’s 2025 season look like?
After his one-season stint with the Vikings, Sam Darnold agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks. He improved his performance and took over as QB1.
Darnold helped the Seahawks make the playoffs as the NFC West champions. They defeated the Rams to win the conference title and face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX. Following a 29-13 victory, the team lifted the Lombardi Trophy for the first time since winning Super Bowl XLVIII.
Sam Darnold finished the season with 4,048 yards and 25 TDs passing. He also became the first quarterback from the 2018 NFL draft class to win a Super Bowl.
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