Sam Darnold, quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, is poised to enter free agency after a career-best 2024 season in which he threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns with a 66.2% completion rate—all personal highs. His performance ranked him fifth in touchdown passes, eighth in pass attempts, and ninth in completions league-wide, positioning him as a potential top-tier option in this offseason’s quarterback market.

During a January 31 appearance on *SiriusXM NFL Radio*, Darnold acknowledged reflecting on his future but remained tight-lipped about specifics, stating, “I’ve thought about it a little, but I won’t share details or private conversations. A lot will unfold after the Super Bowl, so I’ll keep working with my agent to navigate things.”

ESPN analyst Matt Bowen highlighted Darnold’s resurgence under Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, noting his fifth-ranked passing yards and touchdowns, along with his arm talent and mobility. However, Bowen also pointed to inconsistent late-down decision-making and a concerning 14.8 QBR in Minnesota’s two season-ending losses. While Darnold is expected to command a substantial raise from his $10 million one-year deal, his shaky finish has sparked hesitation among interested teams, tempering an otherwise promising free-agent profile.