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Sam Darnold's contract details: salary and years left with the Vikings

The Vikings quarterback has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season. Here’s how his future looks with Minnesota.

The Vikings quarterback has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL season. Here’s how his future looks with Minnesota.
MIKE MULHOLLANDAFP

The Minnesota Vikings can count themselves unlucky for finishing in the fifth seed spot despite having a 14-3 regular season record, but here they are.

Much of the credit for their success this season has been given to quarterback Sam Darnold. Originally a battle between Darnold and rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, the starting job was easily given to Darnold when McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury before the season even started.

In spite of the doubters, Darnold proved to be a reliable quarterback in the side as the record shows, and McCarthy will have to fight for his place when the time comes to get back into the team.

As for Darnold’s immediate future with the Vikings, here’s where his contract stands now.

Sam Darnold’s contract with the Vikings

In March of 2024, Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings, including a $6.25 million signing bonus and $8.75 million guaranteed at signing.

For comparison, when Darnold was taken No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in 2018, he was given a four-year, $30.25 million deal (fully guaranteed) for an average annual salary of $7.56 million. In 2023, he signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers with $3.5 million guaranteed. So his salary with the Vikings is quite the raise.

Of course, his current contract means he‘s up for either free agency or an extension at the end of this season. While McCarthy is expected to be back and ready to play by the 2025 season, it‘s still very possible the Vikings will re-sign Darnold to lead the way for McCarthy while he gets himself fully prepared.

Darnold certainly won‘t be the bargain price he was this year, but he won’t be top market price either, and the Vikings do have cap space while McCarthy is still on his rookie contract. Minnesota would likely need to give Darnold at least a three-year deal with a significant raise and guaranteed money if they want him to stay past this season. If not, there will be plenty of interested teams next season.

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