Darnold, who signed a one-year, $10 million “prove-it” deal in March 2024 with Minnesota, became the starter for a team expected to be one of the worst in the NFC and likely to turn to rookie first-rounder JJ McCarthy, who missed the season with an injury, at some point.

Sam Darnold knows he began his Minnesota Vikings stint with a bang and ended it with a whimper last season. The 28-year-old quarterback had a breakout campaign in Minnesota following six uninspiring seasons to start his NFL career.

Sam Darnold led the 2024 Vikings on a season no one expected and despite that he still has regrets with how it all ended.