Sam Darnold Signs Contract With Minnesota Vikings

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings, Agree to Contract

After winning the backup job in training camp, Sam Darnold spent the majority of the 2023 season holding a clipboard on Sundays. In total, the veteran appeared in 10 games while making one start in a meaningless Week 18 game. While on the field, the former third-overall pick completed 60.9% of his passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Sam Darnold originally entered the league as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the New York Jets, the USC product immediately earned a starting job. Starting in 13 games, the rookie completed 57.7% of his passes while finishing his season with a somewhat promising stat line of 2,865 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.

Darnold picked up where he left off in 2019 and, after a minor battle with mono, continued to show promise without much consistency. Starting in 13 games, the quarterback completed 61.9% of his passes for 3,024 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. The USC product took a step back in 2020, finishing with nine touchdowns to 11 interceptions while leading the team to a 2-10 record while starting.

Now holding the second-overall pick, the Jets decided to trade Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers immediately picked up the fifth-year option for Sam Darnold, effectively naming him their quarterback of the present. Unfortunately, the former first-round pick did not improve in his new environment. Starting in 11 games while making 12 appearances, the quarterback completed just 59.9% of his passes for 2,527 yards, nine touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He spent the majority of 2022 as Carolina’s backup but guided the team to a 4-2 record in his six starts.