Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings are 14-2 after they defeated the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. The Vikings won 27-25 on the back of another good performance from their quarterback.
Darnold threw for 377 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception while completing 76.7% of his throws against a stellar defense. The 27-year-old quarterback signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings last offseason, and Vikings fans want the franchise to sign him to an extension.
Vikings Fans React to Sam Darnold Leading Team To Win vs. Packers
Minnesota drafted J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he was expected to learn behind Darnold in his rookie season. Unfortunately, the rookie suffered a season-ending knee injury, which paved the way for the veteran quarterback to play without any pressure.
Darnold has had the best year of his career with the Vikings, and the fans want to see him leading the NFC North franchise in 2025. Here are some of the reactions on social media:
I’m buying his jersey the second the extension is signed https://t.co/kEg8yuxQFW
— Moof (Pro 👏 Tank) (@SeanMaffia) December 30, 2024
“Better give him a contract, he’s the real deal,” said a fan.
Another fan added, “You guys should pay him.”
Best QB redemption arc in NFL history INCOMING! SKOL!
— Rev Eternal (@Bloody_Cape_) December 30, 2024
“I hope Darnold is the QB next year. Perfect situation for him and the team. Don’t mess with a good thing,” wrote a fan.
“I would think that you have to resign him. I don’t know how you can be this good and then turn it over to a rookie next year,” added another fan.
If they want to sign Darnold to a contract and trade JJ McCarthy to the Giants, I wouldn’t be opposed 🤷🏻♂️ https://t.co/fEsiIVlJDr
— Dan Colucci (@coluccid2) December 30, 2024
Darnold deserves to get paid well after this season, and multiple teams will be looking to sign him. The Vikings are also expected to have conversations with their quarterback regarding an extension, as the team is a Super Bowl contender with him.
It’s hard to predict how McCarthy will perform in the NFL, and having Darnold on the team allows the Michigan product more time to develop in Kevin O’Connell’s system. The Packers did the same with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, who have turned out to be elite quarterbacks.
Baker Mayfield had a Darnold-esque season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, and he was rewarded with a three-year contract for $100 million. The Vikings quarterback could get a similar length in the contract extension.
Vikings Can Clinch No. 1 Seed in NFC With Win in Week 18
With the win against the Packers, the Vikings have set up a matchup of utmost importance against the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The winner of that game will win the NFC North and will finish the regular season as the top seed in the NFC. The loser will slip to the fifth seed and will have to start the playoffs on the road.
Being the first seed comes with many advantages, including a bye in the Wild Card round and home-field advantage until the Super Bowl. Detroit will experience a playoff-type atmosphere in Week 18, and it will be intriguing to see how Darnold handles the pressure in what will be the biggest game of his career.
The Lions won 31-29 when the two teams faced each other earlier in the season in Week 7. But Detroit now has many important players out injured, which gives the Vikings a big opportunity to win the division and set themselves up for a Super Bowl run.
Minnesota is currently on a nine-game winning streak, and all their players will be ready to give their best efforts to secure the first seed with a win in Week 18.