When the Minnesota Vikings entered the 2024 offseason, the conversation was surrounded by the future at quarterback. Discussions about which quarterback would be the future of the franchise littered the months leading up to the NFL Draft, but another quarterback has dominated the conversation as of late.
Sam Darnold is set to be the starting quarterback for the Vikings to start the season and he was named the best offseason decision by Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema.
The Vikings made some big splashes by re-signing Justin Jefferson and drafting J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, but the Sam Darnold addition is the one that could have a big payout.
Darnold will not be the franchise quarterback, but signing him for 2024 gives the Vikings flexibility to not rush McCarthy into action while the team remains competitive. For the flexibility and patience he allows Minnesota to have with McCarthy, Darnold was worth the $10 million this year.
The direction that Sikkema took here helps accentuate the importance of Darnold to the Vikings. He isn't here to just be a placeholder for McCarthy, but Darnold can potentially be the next Geno Smith.
Darnold is about to turn 27 years old and enter his seventh season as a quarterback in the NFL. His first five years, Darnold was a starter for the majority of it, but didn't have the best surroundings to help him develop. He spent two years with Adam Gase during his time with the New York Jets.
He spent the 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers where he finally had great support from both the coaching staff and the weapons around him. Coming to the Vikings, Darnold will have the same type of surrounding cast with the best wide receiver in football, an elite tight end and great offensive tackles.
If Darnold ends up taking the next step, that could make things really interesting for the Vikings.
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