But Matthew Berry says....

[StickierBuns]

The #Vikings want JJ McCarthy to start next year, and did not made a contract offer to Sam Darnold last week, per @MatthewBerryTMR. According to Berry, there is “not much of a market” for Sam Darnold’s thus far: “Darnold is stuck in this weird no man’s land at the moment. Seems crazy to think this, but if dominoes fall a specific way, there’s 100% a scenario where Sam Darnold doesn’t have a starting job next year.”

[purplefaithful]

Common sense would say there is a mkt for a 27 yr old Pro Bowl Qb and a good one at that.

[JustInTime]

But, then there’s this.

[MaroonBells]

But, then there’s this.

I swear, every time I go on Twitter there's a different and totally opposite take on this topic. Each one includes replies that this is the "obvious" answer and if the Vikings had chosen a different path, by golly, they're done being a fan! Oh no, say it isn't so, Twitter moron.

[StickierBuns]

I swear, every time I go on Twitter there's a different and totally opposite take on this topic. Each one includes replies that this is the "obvious" answer and if the Vikings had chosen a different path, by golly, they're done being a fan! Oh no, say it isn't so, Twitter moron.

Yeah its 'Lord of the Flies, Special Ed Unabridged Edition', going on out there in TwitterLand.

So when the smoke clears next week, keep a tab on all the online podcast shit talkers/rumor mongers that just made shit up to get clicks. Because 100% that happens, way more than I'd like sifting through the garbage.

[comet52]

We won't know what reality is until next week I think. But a weak market for Darnold doesn't surprise me. He cost himself a lot with those last two games.

If you are an NFL g.m. looking objectively at him you've got:

6 years of bad play prior to one good year
Crapping the bed in the biggest games
Relying on heavy coaching right up to the 15 second cutoff on every play - do you have a guy on staff who can do that successfully with him?
2nd highest TWP in the league - lots of luck ala Case Keenum
Clearly can't and never will be able to process the field in front of him at NFL speed - holds the ball and freezes, takes egregious sacks
Success in part due to having all-star receiving corps and until Darrisaw went down, better than average protection

One thing we know about the NFL is guys with physical tools get chances and more chances. But heading into year 8 and hoping for big cash might be a stretch for Uncle Sammy.

Blabberin' Andy at PurpleFTW claimed yesterday that the Vikings offer to Sam is 15 mil/year. And I'm sure it's a team-friendly contract with easy outs, etc. If he takes that deal I assume his agent would say get a different agent. He would be admitting he believes he's a backup, because as soon as he has a bad game or two and the fans are yelling for JJM and KOC is thinking why wait any more, he's a backup again.

I would have thought his reps would be hard selling Sam and going Gonzo to say those two games don't matter, etc., kinda like Sam fans, but we'll know a lot more next week.

Meantime all these reporters and social media bobos spinning it this way and that are best ignored. Lucy promised Charlie Brown she'd hold it steady this time, honest. They are a bunch of Lucy's.

[JimmyinSD]

I see SD in that 25 per year avg. IMO he was never worth the 40 that some were speculating, I offered him low 30s when things were looking good mid season, but by November I was already cooling on him as his accuracy was starting to wane and his processing was slowing down than already. Now... I think I see him as a bridge guy for some team looking to take a run at one of the QBs this year. I dont think he would fall back into that mentor role after the success he had and would likely relish another opportunity to show that he deserves a starting opportunity somewhere else, I just dont know that anybody sees him in that role for more than 1 year based on how he played down the stretch this year with a great supporting cast ( although the protection wasnt great at times)

[Zanary]

I see SD in that 25 per year avg.  IMO he was never worth the 40 that some were speculating,  I offered him low 30s when things were looking good mid season, but by November I was already cooling on him as his accuracy was starting to wane and his processing was slowing down than already.  Now... I think I see him as a bridge guy for some team looking to take a run at one of the QBs this year.  I dont think he would fall back into that mentor role after the success he had and would likely relish another opportunity to show that he deserves a starting opportunity somewhere else, I just dont know that anybody sees him in that role for more than 1 year based on how he played down the stretch this year with a great supporting cast ( although the protection wasnt great at times)

Agreed, plus he has very stiff competition within Winter Park: both JJM and "Dimes" (who may or may not try to stay) have to be acknowledged for eyeing that spot under center, with assumptions of rights to it: JJM as our 1st round QB, forced to wait in the wings...and "Dimes", in a Darnold II role if JJM can't be our starter, yet.

I'm glad that Sam got to redefine himself to an extent, and maybe a coach like Carrol believes that his reads/processing can be improved in another system. That said, he faded when he needed to dazzle.

[purplefaithful]

Agreed, plus he has very stiff competition within Winter Park: both JJM and "Dimes" (who may or may not try to stay) have to be acknowledged for eyeing that spot under center, with assumptions of rights to it: JJM as our 1st round QB, forced to wait in the wings...and "Dimes", in a Darnold II role if JJM can't be our starter, yet.

I'm glad that Sam got to redefine himself to an extent, and maybe a coach like Carrol believes that his reads/processing can be improved in another system. That said, he faded when he needed to dazzle.

I think we'd be having very different conversations about SD if he did dazzle, won the NORTH and a playoff game or two.

[Waterboy]

I think we'd be having very different conversations about SD if he did dazzle, won the NORTH and a playoff game or two.

Dimes will be gone if Darnold stays.  I still don't really see the upside of another year of Darnold unless you believe McCarthy isn't the answer.