$10,000,000 Sam Darnold makes feelings known on Vikings future as contract decision looms amid career year

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will be one of the top free agent quarterbacks available in 2025. Darnold signed a one-year, $10,000,000 deal with the Vikings before the start of the season.

Darnold has had immediate success with the Vikings as he's helped lead Minnesota to a 12-2 record. As the Vikings are having a ton of success, Darnold was asked about his future, but he says he isn't focused on it but the season ahead.

“I’m not focused on that at all. I’m really stuck in the moment, and I think that’s the best way to approach that," Darnold said.

Darnold will be highly sought after in free agency and will be in line to sign a multi-year deal.

According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, NFL executives told him that the QB will be an attractive free agent. An anonymous exec also believes Minnesota will turn to J.J. McCarthy next season:

“I think Darnold is going to figure into the options in a lot of places. McCarthy is their guy. The talking heads think they are crazy to let Darnold go, but they don’t have the same conviction on McCarthy as the Vikings do.”

Sam Darnold has gone 288-for-426 for 3,530 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Minnesota is competing for the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Sam Darnold, Vikings punch ticket to playoffs

Vikings clinch playoff berth - Source: Imagn

Minnesota clinched a playoff berth before it even played on Monday Night Football thanks to a loss by the Seattle Seahawks.

"We talked about it yesterday; we secured the playoffs, but that's just another [checked] box," running back Aaron Jones said, via NFL.com. "We've got a lot more boxes to check, and we'll continue to play one game at a time."

Minnesota, meanwhile, handled business as the Vikings defeated the Bears 30-12.

"Those guys, to be in the spots they were in and be a really good presence on a checkdown, to be able to go and get that first down the way they did … was very crucial in the game," Sam Darnold said.

Minnesota will go on the road to play the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at 4:05 p.m. EST. The Vikings are tied at 12-2 with Detroit for the NFC North title.