Ex-NFLer Says Sam Darnold’s Vikings Future Sealed Amid 9 Destinations Including Jets for Pro Bowl QB

The Minnesota Vikings had a good season with a 14-3 record. They became one of the surprising teams this season, starting off with back-to-back wins. Under coach Kevin O’Connell, quarterback Sam Darnold posted his personal best records in several categories. Be it passing yards (4,319), passing touchdowns (35), passer rating (102.5), or completion percentage (66.2), Darnold proved himself this season. The result?

He led himself into his first Pro Bowl in the NFL and the team to the playoffs after 2019. But the last two games, including the wildcard round, seem wobbly with the franchise.

Sam Darnold arguably flopped in the last two games. In the Week 18 matchup, he completed just 18 of 41 attempts for 166 yards. Then, in the wildcard, he completed 25-for-40, for 245 yards, losing both last games at the score of 9. Hence, the calls keep increasing against Darnold, and many want him to be sacked. But will he be?

Well, Robert Griffin III thinks yes!

During a recent episode of the Dan Patrick Show on Wednesday, former NFLer Robert Griffin III joined the host to discuss the NFL’s current topics. When Patrick asked what he thinks of Sam Darnold’s case with the Vikings, Griffin replied, “In my opinion, I don’t think that his fall off was as big, Dan, as people are making it out to be. I think the 18 weeks of the Season or the 17 weeks of the Season that he played well, still are going to help him in free agency, but I do not think that he’ll be back with Minnesota.”

This means Robert Griffin III predicts Sam Darnold to lose his place with the Vikings. But he is also sure his 2024 record till week 17 will help him find another home easily. But of course, bringing the team into the playoffs and meeting a couple of disasters in the final two matchups has surely affected Sam Darnold’s situation with the Vikings.

Especially, in the last game, where he was surprisingly sacked nine times, becoming the first QB to suffer in this century. Although Kevin O’Connell is still proud of his quarterback, Sam Darnold’s future is hanging up in the air. The offseason will tell whether he will be back with the Vikings or not.

Until then, these 9 spots could be for Sam Darnold!

As Robert Griffin III puts it, his regular season record till week 17, which is 80 of 151 passes under pressure for 1,157 yards with 13 TDs & 5 INTs, will help him in free agency. So, what could be his potential destinations, especially after his 1-year contract with Minnesota will be over this offseason?

According to the reports, the Steelers could be one team for Sam Darnold because neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields are under contract in 2025. So, it’s a great chance for the Vikings QB to fit well with offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, as ultimately he played better than the Steelers in the regular season.

If not Pittsburgh, the next spot for him could be the Jets. Given Aaron Rodgers’s situation and this season’s performance, the team is left with no QB. Hence, Darnold could help.

Besides these, the quarterback also has the option to go to the Giants, as they too are left with no QBs on their side. Even Tiki Barber agrees with this, who said on Tuesday, “Honestly, I would take him on the Giants, assuming the draft options are not available. Sam Darnold would be someone I’d want, but not for $50 million. It’s a short-term deal, maybe mid $30s.”

In this way, if the team and the QB match well with each other, they could move forward. And if not, then it’s obviously a short-term deal. Besides these teams, the Saints, Raiders, Browns, Titans, and Colts are also limited in terms of their quarterback situation. Hence, they could also improve their record with Sam Darnold. And finally, if not these teams, he still has Vikings’s spot in hand, if the franchise decides to keep him.

Now, with all these options available for the 27-year-old, it remains to be seen where he lands next!