Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal to be a backup with the 49ers earlier than the 2023 season. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal to be a bridge quarterback with the Vikings this offseason.
After proving he’s a beginning NFL quarterback, Darnold’s price ticket has gone manner up.
Darnold’s future past this season is unclear with first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy spending his rookie season on injured reserve because the inheritor obvious for the Vikings, and Darnold having solidified himself as a high free agent for 2025.
“I’d hope he would type of say, ‘Hey, the physique of labor that I’ve put in to this point goes to handle the long run. Really, all I would like to fret about is true now,’” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips stated Tuesday, by way of video from the crew. “I feel everyone knows that Sam goes to be a sought-after sort of man from wherever that could be. Whatever his future finally ends up being, I do know all of us on this constructing are going to be pleased for him, irrespective of the place that finally ends up being. I don’t assume he has to fret about that anymore.
“The fear would possibly’ve been, ‘OK, this may be my alternative to play.’ He’s previous all that. He’s confirmed the doubters, and he’s confirmed that he can play on this league. Let’s simply make this the very best season we are able to have.”
Darnold, 27, has modified the narrative on a profession that has taken him from the third general decide of the Jets to Carolina to San Francisco to Minnesota with an MVP-type resume. He has throw for 3,299 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
And Darnold’s story from this season stays unwritten.
“Sam has actually taken heed to all of the cliches: Be the place your ft are planted; be within the second; let’s go 1-0 this week; let’s fear about this recreation plan,” Phillips stated. “Whether there’s been reward — which there was quite a bit for him this yr — he hasn’t let that have an effect on him, and when video games don’t go essentially we wish to or he desires to, he hasn’t let that have an effect on him both. He’s been constant in his demeanor, in his strategy, in his work ethic, and that’s the place we wish to be. The most essential recreation is the following one, and for this week, it’s Chicago.”
Darnold isn’t solely enjoying for this season, although. He’s additionally enjoying for a giant pay day subsequent season.
His anticipated contract will proceed to develop with the wins and landing passes, and relying on how the Vikings do within the postseason, Darnold could go away his present crew with no selection however to pay him.
