In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :
If i was running the Vikings, I would keep Darnold basically no matter the cost. There are so many highly drafted rookies that bust, the risk of sam leaving and JJ sucking is too much. While I do think Sam wouldn't be anywhere near this effective on a different team with worse coaching and worse weapons, KOC and JJ aren't going anywhere, so I see no reason to expect Sam to regress next year
budget_bandit said:
In reply to Tom_Spangler (Forum Supporter) :
If i was running the Vikings, I would keep Darnold basically no matter the cost. There are so many highly drafted rookies that bust, the risk of sam leaving and JJ sucking is too much. While I do think Sam wouldn't be anywhere near this effective on a different team with worse coaching and worse weapons, KOC and JJ aren't going anywhere, so I see no reason to expect Sam to regress next year
Franchise him, if he finds success early in the year you can discuss a longer contract mid-year next year.
Id keep Darnold too, I don't know why various people seem to assume that JJ is gonna be better or the Darnold will regress. JJ is on a rookie contract and can sit awhile too, it's almost never bad to gave a young QB sit.
Darnold has played really well, there's no reason to give that up really.
I think Darnold knows that being on a bad team in a bad system means you'll play badly, remember he was on the Jets and Panthers and sucked so the Vikings, plus the 49ers a bit, saved his career.
Even if he gets another 5 mil elsewhere I can't see him jumping. Just playing very well means he'd probably make that up in endorsements alone, plus be happier not sucking somewhere. I don't see Darnold going yo a team like the Giants or the Raiders and having a great year.
Dunno if it's true or not ('cuz innernet) but I found a ranking of cap space for all 32 teams for 2025. I know that can change due to restructured contracts, etc. but I thought it was very interesting that the entire NFC North was in the best third of the whole league. IIRC GB #11, Det #8, MN #6 and Chi #5. New Orleans was dead last--they've got BIG problems for next year.