Sam Darnold’s future with the Minnesota Vikings remains uncertain, but a reunion could be possible as early as 2026. After delivering a strong season that propelled the Vikings into the playoffs, Darnold signed a lucrative contract with the Seattle Seahawks; however, his continued role with Seattle may depend on his performance next year, opening a door for a potential return to Minnesota if J.J. McCarthy faces difficulties or injuries.
Darnold’s Situation in Seattle May Hinge on One Season
Following a standout year with the Vikings—where Darnold threw for 4,300 yards, 35 touchdowns, and helped the team reach 14 wins—the quarterback secured a multi-year deal with the Seahawks. Despite its length, this contract effectively functions as a one-year evaluation period. Seattle has shown strong interest in rookie Jalen Milroe, a quarterback with notable arm strength and mobility, who may challenge Darnold’s spot on the roster.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained the stakes for Darnold, stating,
“[Darnold] has a one-year deal, as a practical matter. And the Seahawks seem to really like rookie Jalen Milroe,”
and added,
“Darnold will need to play very well to secure his status for 2026.”
Darnold’s $100.5 million contract includes $55 million guaranteed, with a $37.5 million signing bonus and a base salary that makes it feasible for Seattle to part ways after the upcoming season while owing him only a limited amount more.
Seattle’s commitment to Milroe was further emphasized by trading Sam Howell to the Vikings, signaling the rookie’s potential as the future starting quarterback. Howell, who has had a challenging start to his career, joins Minnesota’s roster as McCarthy’s backup and will face competition to retain the position.
Vikings May Reconsider Roster If McCarthy Faces Challenges in 2025
After allowing Darnold to leave, the Vikings did not invest heavily in immediate veteran replacements. They passed over Daniel Jones, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts, and Aaron Rodgers, opting instead to promote from within with McCarthy as the starter and Howell as the secondary option. While this approach focuses on building around a promising rookie quarterback, Minnesota remains cautious given McCarthy’s lack of regular-season experience due to his knee injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.
The Vikings came close to a top NFC seed in 2024, falling just one game short of securing a bye week and a playoff matchup advantage. The team’s competitiveness with Darnold at quarterback demonstrated their potential. Minnesota hopes to replicate this success under McCarthy, but the uncertainties surrounding his development and health create a variable scenario for the franchise.
Florio highlighted the stakes for McCarthy, writing,
“He’s getting his shot to play after a knee injury wiped out his rookie season,”
and added,
“Anything other than an outright disaster will ensure his status for 2026. At worst, he’d have to compete with a more established veteran next year.”
This underscores that while McCarthy has a chance to cement his role, a lackluster performance or new injuries could prompt the Vikings to look externally for options.
Potential for Darnold’s Return Depends on McCarthy’s Progress and Seahawks’ Plans
If Seattle moves forward with Milroe for the 2026 season, releasing Darnold, and if Minnesota lacks confidence in McCarthy’s ability to lead the offense due to performance setbacks or injury, the Vikings might revisit the idea of bringing back Darnold. His previous success running Kevin O’Connell’s system makes him an attractive veteran presence, especially compared to other available options.
Minnesota could also consider veteran quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins, though such a move would likely be costly both financially and in terms of draft capital. The Vikings’ strategy appears focused on developing young talent on affordable rookie contracts to sustain their championship window, but the precarious nature of rookie quarterback performance means that having a reliable veteran alternative like Darnold on standby could be valuable.
The next year will be pivotal for both Darnold and McCarthy. Darnold’s ability to prove himself in Seattle while competing with Milroe could determine whether he remains there or becomes available again. For the Vikings, McCarthy’s health and play will dictate whether they can continue their rebuild with him or whether they must seek an experienced hand, potentially reuniting them with Darnold, who was instrumental in their recent playoff run.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why does Sam Darnold wear 14?
A. Darnold will now take Metcalf’s old No. 14 jersey, like he wore last year with the Minnesota Vikings. Throughout his NFL journey, at teams like the Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, and New York Jets, he has consistently chosen 14 as his jersey number.
Q. Is Sam Darnold sober?
A. He battled his alcohol addiction that started at age 12 with a martini at home. By 1980, he conquered it. Since then, his focus has been supporting teenagers in recovery. For many years, he has helped young people in Orange County, California. “I haven’t touched alcohol or drugs for 38 years,” he said.