NFL Net's Pelissero: 'Smart money' is on Darnold staying. Agree?

Matthew Coller and Manny Hill break down Tom Pelissero's report on the Vikings QB situation and an article by Joel Corry, former NFL agent, laying out the Vikings options. Plus, who's gonna win this weekend?
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[@savasbeatie7675]

McCarthy did not have a significant injury that requires more time. It was a meniscus, not an ACL or MCL. Bringing back Darnold just delays whether or not we actually have a franchise quarterback and cuts another year off the benefit of having a rookie contract and giving him playing experience.

[@kameronerdman5870]

peliserro was also the guy who said "I see no reason why the vikings would want to part ways with Dalvin Cook" a month before they cut him

[@Adam-Elenbaas]

I dont think anyone who wants JJ thinks it's a lock he's good or good right away...we just want something new...we are tired of middling guarantees! Lets develop a franchise QB...let's see if it can be him why not what do we have to lose? As fans I think a lot of us see it this way. We loved Bridgewater and most of us absolutely had patience for him as he developed...its simply more exciting....

[@GeorgeVCT]

If you watch what the Vikings have been doing for the last three years you know it’s JJ time. Or are we going from one Kirk Cousins situation into another? No disrespect for Sam but it’s not in the plan.

[@nickinsideout]

Main question to me regarding bringing him back: Can Sams under-pressure strategy/freakouts be fixed?

[@B.A.S.Drydock]

JJ doent have to repeat last year. I don't care what the record is. He needs to get real world experience under KO. Whatever happens is what happens. JJ just need to be the guy to learn the in the field in game reps. He know how to be an NFL player and knows the plays in the scheme. He has to take the next step. That is to be the starter. KO will make sure it isn't too much for JJ.

[@fisherofmenjw]

10-7 and a playoff win trumps 14-3 and out.

[@jiordone8563]

depends on who you play in the playoffs. Was going to be tough for many teams to beat that Rams team the way they played last week. Vikings could have handled some other teams a little better, just luck of the draw.

[@mrmayortheiv]

Not really luck of the draw, the Vikings played like they were drugged with mild horse tranquilizers mixed with ectasy. i'm not sure they'd have beaten any team in the Wildcard. ​@@jiordone8563

[@oel734]

@@jiordone8563 I feel that if the Vikings drew the Bucs or even the Commanders, they would've fared far better.

[@robertcentofanti6606]

I absolutely agree that the team should take their time with the decision, consider all options etc.... I just can't get behind paying Darnold $40 Million dollars. Not because of cap, but because I don't believe he's worth that much money. I'd rather we tried to get a cheap Russell Wilson bridge/backup for $8 Million or someone comparable. Just seems to me, assuming JJ McCarthy is healthy, we're already into year 2 of his Rookie Contract, so lets get him some Real Snaps......The argument that he hasn't played a lot of football reinforces my point He needs to get out there and play. Better to find out how good/bad he is asap. I don't believe Darnold is a legit franchise qb. He may be a Tier 2ish QB like Cousins was, but that aint good enough....and I'd rather miss playoffs, trying to build a champion, than overpay a mediocre QB who can't get it done in big games......I don't care about winning 14, 13, 12,11,10 games and getting smashed in wildcard. I want to find out if JJ has that rare IT factor. If not, lets draft someone else, not overpay mediocre just to "be competitive". Just my opinion. I understand other arguments.

[@JaredTG.]

I agree. Winning 7-9 games but feeling great about your young players is so much better for the future than winning 10-14 and losing in the first round with a bunch of free agent vets then being unsure about the future. Unless you're okay with that. If you wanna be the Steelers and be a sure bet to win 9-10 every single year but only have a very very very small chance to be a real contender then that's fine. I understand why being reliably slightly above average is enticing. That's just not my personal view on how an nfl team should wanna do things in modern times. It worked better in the 2000s and before, example NY Giants.

[@chezbananas]

I’m k

[@robertcentofanti6606]

@@JaredTG. Well said. We can only pray the Wilfs are listening. We are sick of "competitive". We want to be feared and respected like philly, lions, and (up until recently) san fran.

[@jiordone8563]

honestly, there are probably only 6 or 7 "franchise quarterbacks" in the League right now. A legit one is tough to find.

[@RichardHill-d8k]

I think Jones maybe able to fill the same role Darnold played.

[@TheBlackRickGrimes]

Please don’t over pay Sam Darnold

[@johnkelly572]

Disagree. Team didn’t have a championship level roster and has a boatload of free agents and few draft picks. It’s not about next year but the next 3-5 years.

[@Adam-Elenbaas]

Exactly 💯

[@fisherofmenjw]

Jayden Daniel's didn't have the team J.J. Will have.

[@jimbo92107]

If JJ McCarthy is physically healthy, then he should start, with Daniel Jones ready to step in at any moment. A short leash for the first-year starter is a great way to play out the upcoming season. The extra money from Darnold leaving should allow Kwesi to bolster the interior O Line, and get a good new running back.

[@mikephetteplace4178]

If that's what the smart money says, I'd rather spend my dumb money.

[@jgiza8888]

A playoff win trumps a 14-3 season.

[@johnkelly572]

And please stop with the McCarthy knee nonsense. It was a cartilage injury for god’s sake. He’ll be more that ready for spring. Stop saying he needs to relearn how to play football

[@KFT-m2n]

Desperate teams do desperate things like overpay to get a QB that they think could help their team, there are a lot of desperate teams. Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Tennessee, NY Giants and Miami might be a team that has everything but a QB that doesn't have a concussion problem.

[@stanpawlowski8757]

Love this show!

[@Adam-bx2br]

I think they go with McCarthy. I just can't see allocating 40m (franchise tag) to darnold when McCarthy would likely be ready PHYSICALLY by October at the latest.

[@mikelazusky2477]

The way to be successful with a high priced quarterback is to draft well and have production from guys on rookie contracts. Unfortunately Vikings have not drafted well and dont have many picks this year

[@JacobSonnek]

No experience in the NFL but a winner when's the last time we had one of them oh that's right never though we have had some damn good players Anthony Carter oh my god he was awesome then Chris Carter then Randy Moss I like this rookie season and then I said was a jackass and I still think he kind of is but whatever

[@oel734]

Sam Darnold's last two games may have cost him money but not to the extent where he won't be able to get Starter money (and a guarantee to be the STARTING QB) elsewhere. Sam is walking. Let's face that fact and focus on McCarthy going forward.

[@justinesquivel4828]

If your KOC and Kwesi and your on the final year of your contract. Rolling out JJ in 2025 and risking a losing season just to get him snaps will get them fired. If I am KOC, I go to the front office and ask for my extension, if don't get it, then I would bring back Darnold for job security. If extended, then letting Darnold go would be so much easier

[@oel734]

That's a very good point that is not being considered. If he can coax another 14-win season out of Darnold (which I think he can), he basically makes it a slam-dunk as far as him being re-signed goes.

[@robertmiske5045]

Sam is not the guy. Why should we be the idiots that overpay? If he get a nickel over 10 million, I wouldn’t watch the games. He cannot play at multiple levels, and when spooked he can’t even get his base to throw. Sam is a known commodity; he is ass when lights are bright

[@Vicks-ec1by]

A valid question I think is what would ask JJ or Darnold to do on the field. JJ with 35 million extra invested into the O line and RB room. Darnold, mild improvement but ask him to do the same things In the big games. Both QBs will not have the same roster given their cap hit.

[@eldonvaselaar7208]

I don't know that teaching JJ the system on the field would cause hesitation on KOC's part I think they will want him to get on the field for some of that development. I think if Darnold comes back at say 10 or 15 mil you could start Sam and then when JJ is ready trade Darnold before the deadline and roll with McCarthy

[@KFT-m2n]

If there is concern on McCarthy being healthy then maybe they work out a one year deal, but why would Darnold want to do that when he could leave and get a longer term deal elsewhere.

[@oel734]

Plus, it would be a MASSIVE risk to him financially if he has more games next season like the final two we saw this past season. He needs to go get that bag (as big as he can get it) before his value potentially plummets even further.

[@iggexec]

No one suggests signing Sam to a 3 yr deal $32m/ a yr and still trade him if JJ works out. Why would thread the needle on all fronts.

[@cliffjaden2841]

Here is what I think, which means absolutely nothing. They will resign Darnold to a team friendly deal, he will be told there is a QB competition. If JJ can't win it Darnold is the starter in 25 until JJ is ready. If JJ can win it, the Vikings will trade Darnold to a QB needy team before the season starts or trade deadline.

[@oel734]

I honestly cannot picture Darnold agreeing to this after winning 14 games and having 13 games of a Rating above 100 and helping to get this team into the Playoffs after all the 6.5 win predictions (some even less) that everyone had for this team before the season started. This may be his one and only shot at getting that "bag" (AND being the undisputed starter) from a team out there no matter what team it is. If he stays with the Vikings and he ends up crapping the bed and gets benched for McCarthy? That's it for his career as far as being an NFL Starting QB. It is a TREMENDOUS risk he'd be taking if he sticks around.

[@sl7809]

Manny is too wishy-washy about every issue.

[@eldonvaselaar7208]

I feel really worried that jets sam Darnold has returned but I also feel like this type of report might be directed to drum up a trade market

[@robertmiske5045]

Sam is not the guy. Why should we be the idiots that overpay? If he get a nickel over 10 million, I wouldn’t watch the games. He cannot play at multiple levels, and when spooked he can’t even get his base to throw.

[@JacobSonnek]

The one year I really believed we had it was 98 or was it 99 the missed field goal the John Randall thing who was probably my favorite Viking of all time just because of the Brett favre commercial with the chicken if you haven't seen it look it up on KZbin it's only the best commercial ever made

[@Score1more]

You can build a team an around Sam. You just gotta see if they’re willing to work with the team. I just never seen a player fall off the cliff in a 2wk span in the same month

[@oel734]

I think that issue with his Pinky (on his throwing hand) had more to do with his inaccuracy than him just all of a sudden forgetting how to play the position of QB.

[@redt7452]

Well the commanders thoroughly whooped Detroits and Goffs butt

[@johnkelly572]

Sorry but a final thought… we shouldn’t play McCarthy because they might not win the SB next year and disappoint veterans on the team. This is the rationale for not playing him for a franchise that is a perfect 0 for 64 seasons. He needs to play not sit.

[@jeffreyheronemus1917]

JJM being the unknown is a fallacious argument as he will be unknown until he plays. Could run that argument out until his rookie deal is over.

[@B.A.S.Drydock]

KO loves teaching qbs. Is he also going to want to be the brains for a physically talented player again when things get to the pressure of the playoffs. That is the measuring stick for everything for KO! Sma and Kirk are the same mentally. Can't handle pressure. You aren't going to get that coached out of them. KO wants a guy who can think fast and understands everything he is seeing pre-snap and where the answers when things go wrong. This is so KO can concentrate on the game and not try to explain what needs to be done on every play. Hence, all the delay of game penalties.

[@johnpreston3706]

Will Vikings leadership bring back Sam Darnold? Smart people weigh costs & benefits when making decisions. Choice 1) Sam Darnold is franchise tagged and asked to seek out his options to start for a new team. Benefit: Vikings get a Comp Draft Pick. Cost: Young QB JJ McCarthy begins his career as a starter with lot to learn during his first up and down season as an NFL player and maybe miss playoffs. Choice 2) Vikings start Sam on a one year - 25 Million (Value) contract and let him start the season and play until KOC feels JJ is ready to carry his offense. I see putting franchise Tag on Sam and letting him go to another team for a comp pick is a good option. I also think Sam on a 25 Mil one year contract & play JJ when he is ready is a good idea. KOC will know if McCarthy is ready to go but KOC knows this will be an up and down season. I also REALLY hope Vikings fix 1.G-C-G 2.Draft a Shutdown outside CB in first round 3. draft a physical RB.

[@johnkelly572]

You’re driving me insane. Of course McCarthy is a known. I don’t care. I’ve followed this team since ‘61 and we finally draft a promising QB in the top 10 with tons of intangibles and talent and now we’re afraid to play him? Please stop

[@jgiza8888]

Agree with you. Matt continues to pimp Darnold daily, even after the PUTRID PERFORMANCES in week 18 and a playoff game. I don't watch his podcasts anymore, i just read the comments.

[@kenpearson6287]

John, I am going to attempt give you a reality check with a trop or bashing mentality. First off JJ was the biggest unkown of the top 6 QBS iff the board. All the others are older and played way more ball than him. So for accuracy sake you should start with ,I know he has very little playing experience and he played 2 years in a system that mainly ran the ball and when he passed the defense was generally setup to stop the run. Michigan had their success of the talent of the team. He's not a Joe Borrows or Jaydan. College ball is very minor league to the talent and complexity of pro ball. I also have been a fan since 61 and hated the viking mentality of putting out backup retreads Qbs. So here's the analogy John, learning to drive a car. I taught my boy to drive in the country and he wotked his way up to pretty good but under no circumstance would i hand over the keys for him to drive in Chicago rush hour without drivers ed and practice. Training prior to starting is prerequisite of every complex job. Sam is the product of a teams mishandling of getting him ready to start the job. Just because we want or wish our desire to happen on our timeline does not make it valid. KOC understands that it's a process to get to sucess.

[@Adam-bx2br]

Please explain how McCarthy is a known commodity. That's just a ridiculous statement. in 2+ years in college he threw the ball a combined 700 times. Sam darnold threw 580 passes this year alone.

[@jiordone8563]

@@Adam-bx2br not to mention Darnold has been through 1000 times more adversity than McCarthy.

[@johnkelly572]

@ sorry I meant to say unknown 🤪

[@worlddebtnow2057]

McCarthy and Marcus Mariota is my prediction.

[@Malkil75]

I’m a huge take your time with McCarthy fan - no need to rush the process. Darnold is most welcome in my book. Fill out other needs as you train JJ

[@nano.joe.4851]

so sick of the QB carousel with this franchise.

[@johnlusth193]

$20M a year max or let Darnold walk. Only franchise tag if there is a "guaranteed" trade partner so no cap hit

[@oel734]

Then let him walk because there is zero chance in hell that Sam takes another 1-year "prove it" deal when he already "proved it" after a 14-win season. Come on now....

[@johnamarone2441]

I don’t agree Daniel Jones career was better than Darnold before this yr!So why can’t Daniel do what Sam did this year

[@KFT-m2n]

Darnold did not play very good in his only start for San Francisco in 2023, he played decent coming into a game when Purdy was injured last year but the next week he started and struggled on a team with talent.

[@jiordone8563]

He actually played pretty solid in his start with SF. Have to remember, he was playing without many, if any, of the starters because they were resting them for the playoffs.

[@KFT-m2n]

@@jiordone8563 Aiyuk and Samuels both played 189 yards passing 1 td watching the game I thought he missed seeing open receivers and left opportunities on the field. San Francisco won but the opposing QB was Carson Wentz. Darnold was good this year best year of QB play since 2009 but he melted down the last two weeks and can't get rid of the ball quickly after six years he is what he is a good QB that will struggle under pressure.

[@oel734]

@@KFT-m2n oh come off it. First off, San Francisco LOST that game so your ability to research is as flawed as your logic. Finally, that game against the Rams : When Sam had most of the starters in during the 1st half, he played well. When they sat in the 2nd, he didn't. Conclusion : A QB needs talent around him to be successful. I can safely say that if the starters stayed in the game in the 2nd half, Sam would've thrown for more TDs and the Niners would've won.

[@KFT-m2n]

@ After six years a QB is what he is, Jayden Daniels didn't panic and play like crap and hold onto the ball too long in his first 2 playoff games. Were you afraid to move on from Cousins a year ago? Save money play the rookie and hope the people in charge know what they're doing, McCarthy might be the guy to win a championship. Darnold won't win a championship.

[@oel734]

@ "After six years a QB is what he is" >>> If that was true, then Sam would NOT have led the Vikings to 14 wins last season.

[@JacobSonnek]

Sam Donald proved that he's not that good the last two weeks

[@svengalilord]

yes

[@JacobSonnek]

I hope Matthew Stafford beats Detroit and when's the super bowl his sidearm throw is the best I have ever seen yeah my homes does it for 10 to 20 yards but Stafford does it for 40 there's a big difference

[@JacobSonnek]

That's the other reason I don't want Sam Donald back he reminds me of a white version of Warren Moon he throws the ball to the moon and hopes you can catch it but he was fun to watch

[@AndrewMay537]

Sam Darnold played well. With an average line. You have to protect him. If you protect sam properly. He will kill defenses, and makes defenses impossible to handle this offense with his deep ball accuracy. If you don't protect sam. You get Detroit and Rams all over again next season.

[@AndrewMay537]

If your paying for Sam. You have to invest heavily into the line. In case of darrisaw happening again next season. You can't just get 1 guy and say that's that. You have to solidify it. They're not stupid. They know if they do that. They're competing for 5+. But the money issues. And negating money to help the defense. Do we gamble on JJ and go with a more rounded team. Or make JJ prove he can do it. While we fight for another division with Sam and a better line

[@RichardPiccerillo-c4o]

I don’t think they bring him back to many other needs why waist the money he really can’t play in the playoffs we have the future qb what’s the point in throwing a year away on a band aid

[@robertmiske5045]

If Sam was paid 20 m, they won’t make the playoffs. Why would anyone trust Sam?

[@oel734]

You can trust Sam to help a team win a bunch of a games during the regular season but it's the Playoffs where you should ask that question, Robert.

[@robertmiske5045]

Sam Darnold is not guaranteed 14 wins either lol Darnold not worth even Bakers deal. Why waste JJs salary cap advantage

[@stanpawlowski8757]

Several comments are just repeating what they heard on Purple Daily 😂

[@johnlusth193]

Yes, at least one podcaster at Purple Daily was gleeful that Darnold imploded (with KOC's help)

[@eldonvaselaar7208]

I mean I lean more with Judd because honestly the Vikings retread QB has great 1st year then collapses the next year is stuck in my head . And I think both podcasts kind of help paint a full picture of this discussion. But I also think with Darnold and Kirk koc was just pulling strings. If you mold McCarthy early he might be able to make calls faster at the line. Now yes we haven't seen McCarthy play football but being afraid to move on is a very Rick Spielman type move which is just giving me Kirk flashbacks. It might be the purple ptsd

[@oel734]

@@johnlusth193 Judd (the old man) is such a McCarthy fanboy, he makes Thor look objective.

[@JacobSonnek]

The market for Sam darnold is going to be a backup and stay out of Minnesota please That's no disrespect to the man he did better than I thought he would but I don't want him

[@oel734]

"The market for Sam darnold is going to be a backup" >>> No he's not. The market has him for between a 30+ and 40+ mil per year deal. That's not what Backups make. The man won 14 games. He's going to be a starter(for another team). Get a grip.

[@JacobSonnek]

I don't want Sam Donald back if he would have won at least one playoff game I would be for it but he sucks in the big games

[@oel734]

You know who also had unimpressive first playoff games? Peyton Manning....Eli Manning...Tom Brady... (not saying Darnold is anywhere close to those but I'm making the point that it was his FIRST EVER Playoff appearance and that him struggling is not unique to just him) If Darnold (wherever he ends up) finds his way to the playoffs again, I would be interested to see if he's the same or if he would be more mentally-prepared next time around.

[@jiordone8563]

Darnold would be stupid coming back to the Vikings and the ungrateful fans. The guy had a really good season. Yeah, he was over pumped against Detroit and felt the pressure to carry the team, and the Rams would have kicked any QB's ass in the playoff with that kind of pressure and pass rush they had. It wasn't just Sam who didn't play well the last 2 games, there was a lot more pieces that went wrong. As far as Sam coming back, why do that to himself? He would never do well enough for the fans unless they made the Super Bowl, otherwise everyone would be clamoring for boy wonder McCarthy with every incomplete pass every 3 and out, every pick. I hope Darnold lands in a good situation and gets to redeem himself someday in the playoffs. He seems like a good dude.

[@oel734]

Not to mention the possibility of him wasting an opportunity to cash-in instead of having to do yet another 1-year "prove it" deal when he ALREADY HAD PROVEN IT.

[@klk420aday]

Ok. Everyone calm down

[@Giovanni-zc1lv]

Until McCarthy can fully practice and then actually play in a NFL game ... Darnold is the best answer for next year until McCarthy is ready (and his knee) whenever that is, and KOC says he is ready...Football!

[@MrAdmvp]

His knee is fine. It was a meniscus injury not an acl

[@johnkelly572]

You’re driving me insane. Of course McCarthy is an unknown. I don’t care. I’ve followed this team since ‘61 and we finally draft a promising QB in the top 10 with tons of intangibles and talent and now we’re afraid to play him? Please stop

[@Kufu21]

I think u could get Sam for 100 mil. for 3 yrs.. Front load contract in signing bonus .. and no trade clauses in contract.Tell Sam no promises, may best man win starting role..

[@jgiza8888]

Overpay a choking QB to delay the progress of your top ten pick QB with a rookie contract? Stupid

[@oel734]

If they offered Sam this, HE WOULD TAKE IT. 1000%. Not sure they'll offer it, though.