There was a big question mark over the Minnesota Vikings' future at the quarterback position when Kirk Cousins was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
How would Kevin O'Connell's high-octane passing offense work without a solid signal-caller leading the way? Well, they drafted Michigan State's J.J. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. They named McCarthy as their franchise quarterback candidate and brought in veteran Sam Darnold as a training camp contender.
It seemed like McCarthy would win the job when camp started, but O'Connell selected Darnold to be the Week 1 starter even before a knee injury ended his rookie season before it began.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is scheduled to play against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Matt Krohn Imagen Images)
The decision not only boosted the Vikings' playoff hopes, but also rejuvenated Darnold's NFL career.
The Vikings are 11-2 through 13 games this season, a position many didn't believe Darnold would be in charge of all season due to McCarthy's injury. But he quickly proved to the football world why the New York Jets took him third overall out of USC in 2018. He's a fastball player who follows the right scheme.
But one Vikings legend has a harsh reality for fans hoping Darnold will return after this season (he's only under contract for one year).
Vikings' Sam Darnold beats Falcons with five touchdowns, spoiling Kirk Cousins' return to Minnesota
“I think it's going to be a really tough game. And the reason I think it's going to be a really tough game is because Sam has earned a legitimate quarterback contract in this league,” Vikings great tight end Kyle Rudolph said on FOX News Digital told. After teaming up with Polaris and Call of Duty in Week 13, two Minnesota veterans had a surprise.
Rudolph joins other Vikings fans in believing Darnold should come back, but the reality is he has earned a lucrative contract over the last 13 games and the stats prove it.
Darnold ranks sixth in the NFL in passing yards (3,299), tied for third in passing touchdowns (28), seventh in completion percentage (68.4%) and third in quarterback rating (108.1). He's proving he can be an elite quarterback in the right system, but are the Vikings willing to spend more than $40 million per season?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates his touchdown pass to wide receiver Justin Jefferson during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Matt Krohn Imagen Images)
Rudolph compared the situation to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as he led them to the 2023 playoffs and received a three-year contract worth $100 million this offseason. Ta.
The difference between Tampa Bay and Minnesota is that the former didn't spend a top draft pick on a quarterback to start the season.
“If you're Sam Darnold, you came to Minnesota on a one-year, $10 million contract, and you deserve that big deal right now,” Rudolph said. “Looking at the rest of the roster, I don't think it's in the Vikings' best interest. They can't afford to spend $40 million on a quarterback. That's why Kirk (Cousins) is in Atlanta right now.” He's not the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.
“Unfortunately, it's a difficult part of the game and you have to make decisions based on the salary cap and paying a receiver $35 million. It's really hard to pay the best receiver in football. He deserves to take all the money he makes.'' And then they turn around and pay the quarterback more than $40 million a year. ”
That receiver is Justin Jefferson, who received an extension worth $35 million over the next five seasons and is currently the highest-paid stash in the NFL. Darnold, along with the offense's other weapons in Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and Aaron Jones, has built a significant rapport with Jefferson over 13 games.
Darnold is comfortable, poised, and a true leader on game day, everything you want in a quarterback. But as you've probably heard many times, this is a business, and Darnold made a very tough decision for Minnesota going forward.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold warms up before a Jaguars game on November 10, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/Ferrand M. Ebenhack)
Until that decision is made, Rudolph will continue to support Darnold. Darnold bounced around between the Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers until he finally found a home where he could thrive.
Perhaps that's where he ultimately wants to stay, but is the contract worth his value?
Giving back to veterans
Rudolph was able to watch Darnold & Co. beat the Arizona Cardinals in the Twin Cities in Week 13, and was able to watch the Minnesota Veterans 2 in a Polaris RZR Pro R vehicle at the Dec. 1 Salute to Service game. surprised people.
Rudolph leveraged the funding platform Altroo and collaborated with Polaris and Call of Duty for this special surprise.
“Two Marine gentlemen from Minnesota almost felt they didn't deserve such an incredible honor, because they thought, 'Nobody who did what I did, There are so many others out there who deserve it more than me.' They couldn't believe they were the two chosen to receive this Polaris RZR,” Rudolph said. spoke.
Kyle Rudolph explained why he thinks it's “really tough” to see Sam Darnold return to the Vikings next season. (Imagination)
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The veterans also played the latest Call of Duty Black Ops 6 game with Vikings defensemen Pat Jones II and Ivan Pace Jr.
And Rudolph noted that until March 1, 2025, soccer fans can join Altro for a chance to win a Polaris RZR Pro R through a donation to the Call of Duty Fund. This fund is a program that provides quality careers and support to veterans. Veteran spirit.
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