Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has been one of the pleasant surprises early in the 2024 NFL season. After signing with the Vikings as a free agent last offseason, he has exceeded all expectations. What is Darnold’s current contract and salary, and what kind of deal could he receive next offseason?
Breaking Down Sam Darnold’s Deal and 2024 Salary
Back in March, Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings. His deal featured a $6.25 million signing bonus and $8.75 million guaranteed at signing, with a cap hit of just $5 million.
Darnold’s contract has quickly become one of the biggest bargains in the NFL. He has led the team to a 5-1 start while throwing for 1,370 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions thus far.
Darnold has the 32nd-highest cap hit among NFL quarterbacks this season, according to Spotrac. Darnold has a lower cap hit ($5 million) than backups like Washington Commanders QB Marcus Mariota ($6 million) and Dallas Cowboys QB Trey Lance ($5.3 million).
Darnold is on his fourth NFL team after previous stints with the New York Jets (who drafted him No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft), Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers.
Initially, it seemed like Darnold might be Minnesota’s backup since the Vikings drafted former Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft.
However, during the preseason, McCarthy tore his meniscus and needed season-ending surgery. Darnold has made the most of his opportunity, playing the best football of his career in a contract year.
If he continues to play well, he could be poised for a huge contract next offseason. It remains to be seen whether Minnesota will attempt to re-sign Darnold or hand over the reins to McCarthy.
Should the Vikings re-sign Sam Darnold? The #TNFOnPrime desk looks at the great problem Minnesota has this offseason. pic.twitter.com/rAlxGyFRrX
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 24, 2024
Darnold could be this year’s Baker Mayfield, who signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 and then proceeded to have a career year, throwing for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. This earned Mayfield a three-year, $100 million contract (with $50 million guaranteed) the following offseason.
Darnold is two years younger than Mayfield, and they were actually teammates briefly on the Panthers in 2022.
Throughout Darnold’s professional career, he has earned $65,253,948 from his NFL contracts alone. This doesn’t even include the money he’s earned from his various endorsement deals, including partnerships with Nike and Pepsi, among others.
If Darnold continues to thrive in Minnesota, the Vikings will have a tough decision to make next offseason, and all eyes will be on the veteran quarterback to see what kind of contract he gets on the open market.