The Elephant in the Room

[MaroonBells]

Should the Vikings extend Darnold? That is a big complicated, controversial question and we all have different answers. I don't really want to get into that right now, but there is something that dawned on me yesterday as Darnold was hearing MVP chants: the 2025 optics. 

I still think it's much more likely that the Vikings let Darnold go get his money with another team and they hand the keys to JJ next year. I really do believe that was the financial plan all along and it's going to take a LOT to move them off of that. But one could argue a LOT has happened. 

But now you have to wonder if they're setting themselves and JJ up for disappointment. I love what I saw from JJ. KOC loves him and is convinced he's our QBOTF. I trust KOC and so I'm also convinced. I expect him to do very well in this system. But how likely is it for a 1st year starting QB to have the kind of year Darnold is having? Frankly, not very. 

KOC correctly wanted to avoid putting our young QB in a high-pressure situation before he was ready. But now that may happen anyway. If Darnold moves on and JJ starts for us next year, comparisons will be made.

[purplefaithful]

U can never say never, but I agree - a yr1 qb just doesn't have the experience of someone who's been doing it 7 years. You cant teach experience and its not fair to expect a JJM to play at Darnold's level yr 1.

JJM may have to be more game manager for a while. The hard part for me as a fan is that I see Good Sam moving beyond manager to excelling at the off script etc. Plus its obvious the WR's and team mates love him.

Yes, the $$$ side is where it'll get settled. Someone is going to offer him bigger $$ than (I think) we would. Addison is going to want a bag and we really need to improve our secondary.

Next steps for this team are improvements in the pass rush, d backfield and running the ball. IMO thats what separates the Vikings from Detroit and Philly this season.

Could they do much more to solve those with JJM the QB instead of Darnold? Probably....

I'm also of the belief KOC and the system they run can get a lot of out of rook. Signing KOC/Phillps/McCown to long term contracts is incredibly important.

So thats a long way of saying, I would be OK with JJM especially if we could accelerate the improving the surround haVIng him the starter.

But I sure will be sad saying bye to good Sam.

[StickierBuns]

I don't disagree with anything you said and it has occurred to me as well. What some think is a GOOD problem to have in reality really isn't: if Darnold continues to do well, Minnesota wins a playoff game and Darnold walks to another team, immediately there will be pressure on McCarthy for 2025. Handed the keys to what will be a Cadillac and coming off an excellent 2024 season without a guy who has won some hearts in Vikingland and with his teammates. And I know this team also loves JJM, but he hasn't proven anything yet like Sam has. If anyone can handle some pressure, its McCarthy, but we aren't exactly sure what we have with him yet. Zero doubt comparisons will be made. But some fans will say: just sign Darnold to a one or two year deal for X....why would he take that? He won't, IMO. I'm quite certain he'd LOVE to stay in Minnesota, but only as The Man, not anything lesser. Why have McCarthy breathing down your neck if he regresses? Sam can be The Guy somewhere else.

I can see JJM potentially being a franchise dude for sure in a few years. Next year? Highly doubtful. And he's only going to make the big leap in competency by playing. Its going to be a complicated situation....and it'll be sad to see Sammy go.

[supafreak84]

Darnold is playing like you'd "hope" JJ McCarthy could play. So do you switch out the guy who's proven it for a guy that's proven nothing and hope he can play up to the standard of the guy you are letting walk? Darnold is still young and could play quarterback here for conceivably another ten
years. The flip side though is you've seen organizations, like the Giants and Daniel Jones, reward guys off one year of production only to have it bite them in the ass the very next season. That to me is the worry with Darnold. You'd like to see a longer pattern of production throughout a career before you pony up on a big contract.

[StickierBuns]

Darnold is playing like you'd "hope" JJ McCarthy could play. So do you switch out the guy who's proven it for a guy that's proven nothing and hope he can play up to the standard of the guy you are letting walk? Darnold is still young and could play quarterback here for conceivably another ten
years. The flip side though is you've seen organizations, like the Giants and Daniel Jones, reward guys off one year of production only to have it bite them in the ass the very next season. That to me is the worry with Darnold. You'd like to see a longer pattern of production throughout a career before you pony up on a big contract.

Not only a great point, but one that concerns me as well. Can you trust Darnold beyond this year? I don't know.

[purplefaithful]

I suspect a # of years ago, The Chiefs were having the same dialogue regarding Smith and a rookie named Mahomes. 

I like the vikings chances of having future success with this staff vs Zimmer's. With whatever route they go.

[AGRforever]

Not only a great point, but one that concerns me as well. Can you trust Darnold beyond this year? I don't know.

The flip side of the flip side is Cousins really started playing well in KOC's system well into the 1st year and really came into his own in the 2nd.  He was a legitimate MVP candidate when he tore his Achilles.  Would Sam Darnold play even better next year after having +17 games in KOC's system? 

Sam made a bunch of boneheaded mistakes in the first couple games.  Those pretty much have gone away.  He's playing loose and confident in about everyone but TJ Hockenson (which is odd).  

So while Sam could certainly regress towards his mean he could also just be scratching the surface on what he could do in KOC's offense.

He's won me over to a certain extent.  I'd be willing to pay 90 over 3 for him.  I wouldn't go higher or longer though.  I'd also entertain tagging him but understand thats a shit move for the player.

[Greylock]

Just because another team offers more money than the Vikings would offer (if they decide to) doesn't mean Darnold would take it. After his experience with the dysfunctional organizations that is the Jets and Panthers maybe he likes the situation he is in and would take less than market to stay with everything the Vikings offer besides money. Brady did it with the Patriots and maybe Sam would decide the team and culture is better than a crappy situation for more money. Another thing to consider is JJ is only 21 years old so maybe another year or two behind Darold is not such a bad thing, Packers did that with Love.

This season just seems like there is a confidence that when Darnold is on the field they are going to find some way to make things happen, except for when they played the Rams. Even when they lost to the Lions it always felt like they were going to find a way to pull it out.

[NorseFeathers]

My biggest concern is injury to the starting QB, whether it's JJM or Sam. Most QBs get injured sometime during the season and a NFL season is a marathon. We've experienced how an entire season can be derailed when you only have one franchise type QB who goes down with an injury. Having two very capable QBs sure improves your chances of getting hot down the stretch. But how much do you pay for such insurance? I think a lot of the decision will come down to Sam and what kind of contract he demands. He seems to really like being part of the Vikings but will he be willing to leave millions on the table to remain a Viking.

Enter Daniel Jones.

[purplefaithful]

Just because another team offers more money than the Vikings would offer (if they decide to) doesn't mean Darnold would take it.  After his experience with the dysfunctional organizations that is the Jets and Panthers maybe he likes the situation he is in and would take less than market to stay with everything the Vikings offer besides money.  Brady did it with the Patriots and maybe Sam would decide the team and culture is better than a crappy situation for more money.  Another thing to consider is JJ is only 21 years old so maybe another year or two behind Darold is not such a bad thing, Packers did that with Love.

This season just seems like there is a confidence that when Darnold is on the field they are going to find some way to make things happen, except for when they played the Rams.  Even when they lost to the Lions it always felt like they were going to find a way to pull it out.

Some good reminders...LOVE sat for what? 3 seasons?

As others have said, not sure Darnold will take a short term deal here? I guess that depends on his other options. Going to be an interesting off-season discussion for sure. 

I rank it right up there with keeping an exemplary coaching staff. 

Sure has been a fun season so far though. Thank you Vikings.