Sam Darnold is not pretending the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback pivot did not sting. Darnold spent the 2024 NFL season in Minnesota and became the starter after rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury.
He helped the Vikings reach the playoffs, only to lose to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. However, the Vikings declined to extend Darnold’s one-year stay and handed the keys back to McCarthy. However, he is not turning it into a revenge circus.
During an appearance on May 20 on the “Sam Clemente Podcast,” Darnold admitted he understood why the Vikings made the move.
“I totally understand the move to go with a younger quarterback on a rookie deal, and signing these veteran players that you can maybe pay a little bit more while he’s on his rookie deal, especially if you believe in himThe business side of it, I totally understand it.He also praised McCarthy despite losing the job to him,” Darnold said.
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Sam Darnold not envious of J.J. McCarthy
Darnold also praised McCarthy despite losing the job to him.
“I think JJ is a good player. I think he’s gonna be a really good player in this league. I truly believe that. For them to see that and be like, … the business part of it, it was like okay, like, I totally understand it,” Darnold further added.
The best irony of the Vikings’ gamble is that it did not explode into a fairytale. McCarthy battled multiple injuries in 2025, played only 10 games and finished with 1,632 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. The Vikings went 9-8 and missed the playoffs.
Sam Darnold, meanwhile, landed with the Seattle Seahawks on a three-year, $100.5 million deal. He threw for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns, won the NFC West and capped it by beating the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX.
Edited by Prasen
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