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Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings poses for pictures after facing the Arizona Cardinals.

Sam Darnold is going to cash in next offseason. Where that will be is one of 2025’s greatest NFL quandaries. But Darnold has played well enough to earn a lucrative contract even if it is not with the Minnesota Vikings.

They have rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy and signed former first-rounder Daniel Jones.

Still, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz said he expects Darnold to land a deal similar to Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield, a former first-round pick who flamed out with his first team and spent time with two others – including as Darnold’s teammate on the Carolina Panthers – signed a three-year, $100 contract during the 2024 offseason.

“I think it’s going to be extremely difficult for Minnesota to retain him because of the year he’s had,” Shultz told Colin Cowherd on “The Herd” on December 5. “In my opinion, he’s probably gonna Garner somewhere along the lines of what Baker Mayfield got, which is probably fair considering his age, he’s still pretty young and what he’s shown on tape this year.”

“It’s also important that he’s worked with Kevin O’Connell, whose system has been mirrored a lot across the league,” Schultz said. “You can plug and play Sam right away. He’s a smart guy, he gets it.”

Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings in free agency.

“I think it’s very realistic as well, even if they win the division, that Sam would walk,” Schultz told Cowherd.

Mayfield completed 64.3% of his passes for 4044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 picks, earning his first Pro Bowl and 2023 Most Improved Player. Darnold is on track to throw for more yards and touchdowns with a better completion percentage despite throwing interceptions more often.