Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Vikings will have a new starting quarterback in 2025, the third straight season with a different QB under center.
Sam Darnold, the 2024 starter, is signing a three-year contract to become a Seattle Seahawk. Darnold will replace Geno Smith, who is heading to the Las Vegas Raiders.
According to several reports, the deal is for three years, $110 million with $55 million guaranteed. NFL.com reports the deal is closer to $100 million.
JJ McCarthy is likely the 2025 starter unless the Vikings make a free-agent move of their own. McCarthy is coming off knee surgery and has yet to play a regular season game, so a veteran stopgap may be necessary.
The team added former Giant Daniel Jones after he was released in New York last year. But Jones, who struggled after being a high draft pick and leading the Giants to a playoff win over the Vikings in January, 2023, is also a free agent.
Darnold made $10 million while leading the Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season finish in 2024. He had never played close to as well as he did under Viking coach Kevin O’Connell last season. He struggled in a must-win regular season final in Detroit, and in a 27-9 blowout loss to the Rams in the Wild Card round.
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