Daily Norseman on Sam Darnold

ArticleKyler Murray QB1, The Merits of the Competition, and What’s Next for J.J. McCar...
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And after Sam Darnold's performance in 2024, he was no longer essential to the team having a QBOTF. But despite all that, the Vikings stuck with McCarthy in 2025 and in all likelihood it cost them the division title and a playoff run compared to if they extended Sam Darnold on a medium deal and dealt McCarthy to the highest bidder.
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Darnold's 2024 success made him expendable; Vikings' McCarthy retention cost playoff run.

After Sam Darnold's strong 2024 performance, he was no longer essential to the Vikings having a quarterback of the future. The Vikings' decision to stick with McCarthy in 2025 instead of extending Darnold on a medium deal and trading McCarthy likely cost them the division title and a playoff run.

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