With less than one and a half months to the Super Bowl, let’s talk NFL contracts, shall we? We’re well-known to all those mega-deals over the years. Quarterbacks getting paid millions, making headlines for all the right and wrong decisions. Sure, some contracts make us go, “Yeah, they totally cracked that.” Others? Well, we’re left scratching our heads. Let’s rewind to the 2018 NFL draft 3rd overall pick. That’s Sam Darnold for you and, given his insane season, the guy’s the next big thing when it comes to the mega NFL contracts.

We’ve got two Darnolds in the NFL. One prior to the Vikings and the other with the Vikings. Amassing over 4,000 yards with an average of 8.2 yards per carry, and racking up 35 TDs, where did this performance land the QB? Well, the Vikings got their hands on Darnold for a year contract. And now the rumor has it that the 27-year-old is all set to ink a 4-year contract worth $229 million.

According to Spotrac, “If we’re pulling the “small sample size” or “mid-range tier” labels off of Sam Darnold this offseason and just evaluating him as a potential top franchise QB, the math currently says: 4 years, $229M ($57.3M/yr).” But honestly, the prediction seems premature given the post-season is still on the cards.

Well, first things first. Let’s assume Darnold manages to lead the Vikings to the Super Bowl. What’s next? Well, there’s a higher chance he’s gonna land that pretty 4-year contract. The right phrase would be that the Vikings have to make that offer to him. However, if we get out of the assumptions and talk reality here, what happens if the Minnesota team loses in the beginning? Well, that’s where this math for his contract sounds more premature.

Given the Vikings’ offense is clicking, there’s still a chance the team offers him an extravagant contract after his $10 million deal concludes. However, let’s not forget it can be possible if the Minnesota team doesn’t go to franchise tag him.

Sam Darnold: Whom will he outshine?

If there’s a discussion for the mega-contracts in the NFL, how can we keep names like Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and Jordan Love out of the frame? Sure, Darnold has entered the elite NFL contract list, but the actual question still remains on top. Is he able to surpass Burrow and Love? Not to mention, the Bengals‘ QB snagged a 5-year whopping contract worth $275 million.

On the other hand, the Packers granted a solid $220 million, 4-year contract extension to their QB. Though if we’re actually talking the number here, then it’s pretty simple that Darnold is all set to surpass these two star QBs if the Vikings signed him for the rumored contract. As per the contract deals, Burrow is currently making around $55 million annually with the Bengals. And as far as Love is concerned, the guy’s racked up a pretty solid $55 million a year as well.

Given the estimated $229 million contract, Darnold will be having an average annual salary of $57 million. But at the end of the day for now, it’s still the numbers that are totally based on math. And as we all know, it’s the performance that speaks for the contract and not the math. The Vikings have ended their 2024 on a high note and now all eyes are on Sam Darnold and the playoffs.