Sam Darnold is set for a major payday in the upcoming offseason, following a standout 2024 season that earned him Pro Bowl honors and helped the Minnesota Vikings secure a chance at the No. 1 seed and a bye week in the NFC playoffs. However, the size of Darnold’s contract remains up for discussion, and it will be a key point for the Vikings as they evaluate their options moving forward.
With Darnold’s contract expiring, the Vikings are faced with a potentially costly decision. Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti predicts the Vikings will use the franchise tag on Darnold, potentially valuing him at over $39 million for the season. Ginnitti also forecasts that Darnold and the Vikings will agree to a long-term extension before the July 15 deadline, with a four-year, $196 million deal that would include $110 million in guaranteed money.
Darnold’s 2024 performance has been seen as a significant breakthrough, and Ginnitti highlights the importance of retaining him, noting that letting him go could be an even more expensive proposition for the Vikings.
Sam Darnold
Currently on a one-year, $10 million contract, Darnold has earned $63.8 million in his career, according to Over The Cap. Ginnitti’s prediction for a four-year, $196 million extension would represent a massive 207.1% increase over Darnold’s total career earnings to date, placing him among the top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks in terms of average salary.
The Vikings’ decision to extend Darnold could be one of the most significant moves of their offseason, as they weigh the cost of keeping him against exploring other alternatives.
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