Popular ESPN Analyst Rips Vikings after Latest Development

ESPN’s Stephen A Smith fell victim to a self-laid trap. Once a staunch critic of Sam Darnold — even a guy who recommended the Minnesota Vikings get rid of him — Smith has changed his tune, claiming Minnesota “threw away a football season” by letting Sam Darnold depart to the Seattle Seahawks last March.

Darnold’s exit looks worse after Seattle’s title run, says Smith, even after Smith, too, supported it.

Smith does this often, saying one thing and later walking it back as ammunition to criticize something or someone. This time, that tendency landed at the Vikings’ doorstep.

Smith’s Darnold Flip-Flop Adds Fuel to Vikings Debate

Unimpressed by the Vikings’ decision-making, Smith even urged them to travel in the wrong direction.

Smith on the Vikings’ Handling of Darnold

One year ago, Smith personally stated he would not extend Darnold’s contract if he were in charge of the Vikings. Now, he’s throwing flames at the organization for not extending Darnold’s contract.

Smith said Monday, “Two bad games and you threw him to the wolves. That’s why their GM is gone; he was fired. That’s why Kevin O’Connell no longer should be called the QB whisperer; that’s why he’s lucky to have his damn job with that kind of decision.”

“He’s a damn good coach, and I know that, but I don’t want to hear no quarterback whisperer anymore. Don’t want to hear that. Bottom line is, the Vikings threw away a football season and jeopardized the career of Justin Jefferson by making the decision they made.”

It’s revisionist history at its peak.

Once Called Darnold a Virus

After Darnold looked the part of a QB1 last year with the Vikings, Smith teed off. Minnesota had won its Week 1 game at the New York Giants, and Smith wasn’t impressed.

He said on ESPN airwaves, “If you’re around some people with a cold enough, you’re going to get one. If you’re around some people with a virus, you’re going to get it. Contamination. You ever heard of that word? It happens,”

“When you’re around certain situations, ultimately, you become a byproduct of that. That’s what I am saying of Sam Darnold. I’m telling you, you’re very hopeful, and I can appreciate that. But you’re sitting up there, talking to us like we’re supposed to expect the high level of production from this brother. I’m not doing that. I got to see it to believe it. That’s all I’m saying.”

That’s right: Smith went from calling Darnold a virus a year and a half ago to chiding the Vikings for removing the so-called virus.

“At some point, your resume has to matter. Now, we saw him complete 14 of his first 15 passes from a clean pocket last week. We get all of that. That was against the New York Giants. Let’s see how he’s going to look when Nick Bosa and the crew are coming his way,” Smith added in September 2024.

“Don’t expect the same results because it ain’t going to happen. Let’s get that out of the way first. Secondly, I get your point about Justin Jefferson and having him as a weapon there. I get that part, but I gotta see it to believe it.”

Smith Advocated for Vikings Not to Pay Darnold

In January 2025, Smith also advocated for Minnesota not to pay Darnold a large contract extension.

“I’m saying you don’t give him Sam Darnold $40 million. You don’t give him $40 million. You go with J.J. McCarthy, because how much of a difference will it be?” he opined.

Here’s the footage:

The Seahawks later paid Darnold $100.5 million over three years, which feels like a steal after the Super Bowl triumph.

The Process … Wasn’t Horrible?

Of course, NFL pundits will spend the next several weeks — perhaps months — dunking on the Vikings for their Darnold decision-making. But important caveats are in play.

Foremost, the team’s ownership group fired the general manager on Friday, January 30th, the man responsible for letting Darnold walk. The Seahawks had just won the NFC Championship, and questions about Minnesota’s 2025 offseason process buzzed. Through their actions, the Vikings acknowledged that the right man was not in charge of the roster.

Too, Minnesota spent a 1st-Round pick on McCarthy, and more often than not, teams play 1st-Round quarterbacks. Darnold had just collapsed completely and unmistakably in the Vikings’ two most important games of 2024. They had McCarthy waiting to take over, and Darnold looked like a bum.

Minnesota, indeed, made the wrong decision, but the plan was righteous: stay committed to the plan with McCarthy while letting the guy who just choked when you needed him the most prove himself elsewhere.

The problem was that Darnold wasn’t eternally destined to be a choker. He improved.

Nowhere in Smith’s comments does he acknowledge that he recommended the Vikings part ways with Darnold. He’s having it both ways.