Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings before the start of the 2024 NFL season. He was given an opportunity to start for the team after J.J. McCarthy suffered a knee injury, and the veteran quarterback has not looked back since.
Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record in the regular season and will go against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. The upcoming game is crucial for him, and Chris Broussard reminded Darnold about the financial importance of the result he gets against the Rams.
Chris Broussard Emphasizes Sam Darnold’s Free Agency Situation
The Vikings have shown interest in keeping Darnold beyond this season, but ultimately, it will depend on how he plays against the Rams. He didn’t look good in the Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions, which Minnesota lost 31-9. Darnold has looked great throughout the season, but if he fails to perform in two of the biggest games of the season, the Vikings will have doubts about offering him an extension.
Broussard highlighted this fact in a recent segment on “First Things First” and tried to motivate the 27-year-old quarterback by emphasizing the impact the Rams game could have financially for Darnold.
“Sam’s obviously had a tremendous season, happy for you, but this game is easily the biggest of your life,” said Broussard. “Not just because it’s your first playoff start, not just because your 14-win Vikings… it is because your money is on the line.”
“If you go out there and play well and win, I assume the Vikings will want you back,” added Broussard. “[They’ll] make you the franchise quarterback for at least the next couple of years, and you’ll get a lucrative payment. If you go out there, play poorly, and lose, you might not be back with the Vikings, and your market might not be that strong. So, this is a huge game for you, Sam.”
In 17 games this season, Darnold has thrown for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with a passer rating of 102.5. He threw for the fifth-most passing touchdowns and total passing yards in the league this season.
Stats-wise, the Vikings star has done enough to get an extension, but as mentioned earlier, he will be judged on his performance in big games.
Result Against the Rams Could Be Worth Over $100 Million for Darnold
Baker Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million contract after he had a Darnold-esque season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. A win against the Rams could help Darnold earn close to $100+ million in his new deal.
However, if the Vikings lose, things could get tricky for the quarterback — there might not be many teams in the league who would sign him on a multi-year deal. Darnold has the opportunity to make life-changing money this offseason, but for that to happen, he has to deliver in the postseason.
The game against the Rams is Darnold’s first-ever playoff appearance, and he is under immense pressure. He didn’t play well under pressure in Week 18 against the Lions, as he finished with 166 passing yards with no touchdowns while completing just 43.9% of his throws.
Darnold also missed multiple throws against the Lions, which he made quite easily throughout the season.
Vikings players love Darnold and would want him back, but if he once again folds under pressure, it would not be smart financially for the franchise to invest more years in him rather than giving McCarthy the opportunity to start.