Vikings sign Sam Darnold to one-year deal

Vikings sign Sam Darnold to one-year deal

The Minnesota Vikings have found their new bridge quarterback! Hours after losing signal caller Kirk Cousins to the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota’s elected to sign Sam Darnold to a one-year deal worth $10 million, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero was first to report late Monday evening.

A new QB in Minnesota: The #Vikings are expected to sign #49ers QB Sam Darnold, per me and @TomPelissero.

Darnold gets a 1-year deal worth $10M, sources say, and joins former teammate Josh McCown, who is Minnesota’s new QB coach.

Kirk Cousins out, Darnold in. pic.twitter.com/QzrZDJ1Sdq

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024

The Vikings are expected to eat $28.5 million in dead cap due to Cousins’ departure, thus they were in need of a lower-end quarterback at a lower option for 2024. Even though he’s had a disappointing five-year NFL career so far, Darnold provides that.

He spent his most recent season backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco. He appeared in 10 games, but only attempted 46 passes (28 completions). He totaled 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Over his career with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and 49ers, the former No. 3 pick has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions.

In all likelihood, Darnold won’t be the full-time starter for Minnesota this upcoming fall, barring injury. The Vikings own the No. 11 pick and could potentially trade up to select Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy in next month’s 2024 NFL Draft, if they elect to take a quarterback in the first round.

Fantasy Football: Falcons Sign Kirk Cousins

Minnesota built up its front seven Monday by adding Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman. It opted to go in a different direction behind center in hopes of finding their eventual “franchise guy” behind center–whomever that may be, whenever that is.

For now, Darnold was perhaps the best bridge quarterback on the market. Others still available are Ryan Tannehill, Jameis Winston, Drew Lock, Josh Dobbs (formerly of Minnesota) and Mason Rudolph, among others.

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This is a breaking news story. Stay tuned for updates.

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