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.
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During an appearance on May 20 on the “Sam Clemente Podcast,” Darnold admitted he understood why the Vikings made the move.
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“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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