If Kirk Cousins leaves the Minnesota Vikings in free agency, they will need to find a new starting quarterback for the 2024 campaign. Sam Darnold is one quarterback that they may try to sign.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson addressed a forecast from The Athletic that the Vikings would pursue Darnold if Cousins signs with another team during an appearance on SKOR North’s “Mackey and Judd” program on March 7.
Baker Mayfield will be the Vikings’ primary target if Cousins is lost. However, if Mayfield is not a free agent, Minnesota may attempt to take a chance on a young player with some potential. As a starter, Darnold has never been in a very winning position, but his arm talent has never been questioned. Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said that “he might be ready for another shot at starting after a year in Kyle Shanahan’s system.”
The long-term goal for the Vikings, according to Wolfson, is to sign a first-round rookie quarterback, but for now, Darnold is “near the top” of their list of veteran bridge quarterbacks to sign in free agency.
While there’s no disputing that Darnold taking over for Cousins the next season would be a step back at the position, the Vikings may be able to improve their squad with the cap savings Darnold offers.
Former NFL executive Randy Mueller told The Athletic, “They’d all have to be on the same page, for sure.” “But considering what else the team could do with that money, could sell to coaches, what (a player like Darnold) brings you at a cap number of $10 million.”
A $45 million contract per year could be demanded by cousins in free agency. Despite Darnold’s $53 million career earnings, his $4.5 million yearly one-year contract with the 49ers following his rookie agreement was reasonable.
With that contract, the 49ers gave Darnold a chance to compete with Trey Lance and Brock Purdy for the starting position. It wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for the Vikings to offer Darnold a $10 million contract each year so he could compete for the starting position against a new rookie quarterback.
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