Sam Darnold’s Disappointing End Raises Questions About His Future

Minneapolis: So, Sam Darnold had a rough playoff outing, huh? The Vikings coach, Kevin O’Connell, tried to downplay the last couple of games, saying there’s more to Darnold’s season than just those losses. He pointed out that Darnold led the team to 14 wins, which is pretty impressive considering the doubts people had about him.

But let’s be real, Darnold didn’t shine in the playoffs. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards, with one touchdown and an interception. He got sacked nine times, which is a playoff record. Ouch! Darnold even admitted he held onto the ball too long, which led to some of those sacks. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for Jets fans who once hoped he’d be their savior.

At just 27, Darnold’s on a one-year deal with the Vikings, and things are looking uncertain. The Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy, who got hurt, giving Darnold a chance to start. He had a solid season overall, throwing for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns. But when it mattered most, he struggled.

In the last two games, he made a lot of off-target throws, and that’s not what you want to see from your quarterback. After the loss to the Rams, Darnold said it’s all about what you do in the playoffs, and they didn’t get it done.

Now, there’s chatter about whether the Vikings will keep him or go with McCarthy. Darnold’s value has definitely gone up, but those playoff performances have raised some eyebrows. He’s not thinking about his future just yet, focusing instead on what he could have done better. It’s a waiting game now for him and the Vikings.