Sam Darnold will be a free agent in 2025 after a late-season collapse.  Darnold led the Minnesota Vikings to 14 wins while throwing for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 tds to 12 interceptions.  Darnold’s last two performances and the draft capital the Vikings spent on quarterback J.J. McCarthy likely are the most key factors in his pending free agency.

Darnold’s performances against the Lions in week 18 for the NFC North division crown and the following week against the Rams led to doubts about his ability to be the long-term answer at the quarterback position.  Darnold threw 1 touchdown, lost a fumble, and threw an interception, along with being sacked 11 times in the final two games.  Both games were double-digit losses in which the Vikings were unable to find the answers to compete offensively.

Darnold will likely have to leave the proven Vikings system to secure long-term financial security.  With no Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson, or Jordan Addison, more questions than answers remain about his viability as a fantasy option.

Author:  Justin Currie (@Chev90)