There is no security blanket for Sam Darnold — at least not yet.
In the wake of a successful first season in Minnesota, in which he has the Vikings at 10-2 entering Week 14, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Darnold and team brass have not “had any discussions regarding a long-term contract.”
Darnold, 27, joined the Vikings on a one-year, $10 million contract in the offseason following the departure of Kirk Cousins in free agency.
He is slated to become a free agent in 2025.
Before heading to Minnesota, Darnold — the Jets’ third overall pick in 2018 — served as Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco last year. He also spent time in Carolina following a trade by the Jets in 2021.
Darnold was named the Vikings’ starting quarterback after rookie J.J. McCarthy underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee in August.
Minnesota selected the former Michigan quarterback 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Darnold is having a career season so far, ranking fourth in the league with 23 touchdown passes, fifth in yards per attempt (8.2) and tenth in total passing yards (2,952).
Prior to McCarthy’s injury, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell commented that based on what the national championship quarterback demonstrated in training camp, Minnesota has “our young franchise quarterback, I believe, in the building.”
The Vikings welcomed back Cousins on Sunday after he agreed to a four-year contract, $180 million contract with the Falcons (6-6) in March.
Minnesota ran away with the game in a 42-21 victory that saw Darnold complete 22 of 28 pass attempts for 347 yards and five touchdowns.