PFT’s Mike Florio on the Vikings’ Looming Darnold-or-McCarthy Decision | The Rich Eisen Show

[@ginjazz4179]

If Darnold gets the Vikings to the Superbowl he will be a hero. He will have accomplished something that a long line of QBs, including two "Hall of Fame QBs", could not do.

[@Giovanni-zc1lv]

He has to win the SB to be a hero....who considers Joe Kapp or Fran Tarkenton a hero? Just sayn...

[@ginjazz4179]

@@Giovanni-zc1lv Nobody waited 48 years to see Kapp or Tarkenton get there.

[@ubermenchlicheman]

​@@Giovanni-zc1lv To play in the NFL makes you a hero to your hometown, your school, to a youngster who dreams of making it that far and who is honored when he one day gets to shake your hand!

[@nyshoefly]

No chance. He's not on that level yet.

[@lordjaraxxus3864]

If Darnold goes to the superbowl, sign him for 4 years. If he wins, give him ownership rights i dont care.

[@Blortoblorto]

We are moneyballing football in minneapolis and we like it. Only way he stays is if he doesn’t like his options and comes back on a 1-2 year deal below market value because he prioritizes winning over money. I think it is a real possibility since he’s been through dysfunctional coaching and executives and it was hell for him. He also can see that the qbs O’Connell coaches have all performed at their career best and he doesn’t need to become a punchline again by regressing in a system trying to save itself by putting their future on his shoulders with inferior support.

[@samkersten9539]

Amen

[@SHENDOH]

👊🏼

[@rentii1261]

Minnesota owned the draft because they didn't listen to hot takes from Florio

[@roryolson61]

Tag him and trade him when the time is right next season. LA ir Dan Fran? Stafford is getting old and would you pay Purdy 50M?

[@pauleyestone7739]

He will be franchised with a trade deal already in place...probably a 2 and a 4. There is no way the Vikings fork out big bucks for Darnold.

[@seantadams_]

Why does Sam Darnold need to compete with an unproven rookie that is coming off of a knee injury.???

[@timothylash8678]

Because they invested a high draft pick on him

[@darrellvice2010]

​@@timothylash8678who cares. You play the best player available

[@pauleyestone7739]

Because KOC thinks McCarthy has higher upside

[@patrickcurran9318]

You dont seem to understand the cap.

[@firstnamelastname4216]

Because one will cost 15M over the next 3 years, and the other one will be making 60-120x that much depending on what his market is and how close to the QB market some team's willing to pay him. The Vikings probably won't want to sign him to a long term deal unless they are convinced McCarthy's not gonna recover, or they are convinced Darnold will repeat.

[@ehansbrough593]

For the first time in his career as QB1, Sam Darnold has had a really good HFC, good play-calling, a solid OL and excellent playmakers at the wideout positions. This is not a fluke. I say franchise tag Sam. If he gets a top market value deal and wants to take it, no harm, no foul. JJ and Jones are waiting in the wings. If he doesn't like his options, he can stay with the Vikings and start another year. If he has similar or greater success (e g., puts up top 6 stats like this season), sign him to a long-term deal. If not, you can hand the keys to JJ. JJ will be a rookie again next year. It's a win-win either way.

[@drewole]

This is it.

[@AndrewMay537]

Rams and Niners on that list too. And indi. Shanahan loves him.

[@paulbram2]

I joked before the season that the 49ers traded the wrong quarterback to MN. Is Purdy better? Obviously, right? ..... right?

[@TheFord1965]

Absolutely think 49ers now that they have not signed Brock.

[@gojoe5258]

​@@paulbram2 Vikings got Darnold in free agency.

[@pjmlegrande]

@@paulbram2Purdy processes the action on the field very well and has performed very impressively for a young QB. Some high draft QBs never get the hang of the processing part because it’s the most challenging thing to master. I think he’s still got the edge over Darnold in that regard. But Darnold is catching up fast - I think he’ll get there soon. In addition, Darnold looks like the slightly better athlete. He’s also bigger and stronger and maybe a better improviser. Although it’s not the most important attribute for a QB to have, he’s also got the stronger arm. Folks seem to worry that Darnold might regress, but I think he hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.

[@rentii1261]

Darnold is getting Franchise Tagged and then JJ after next year

[@aayanrussell7972]

Facts they aren’t going anywhere.

[@TheOsfania]

The franchise tag for QBs is $41 million. That's just about 75% of fair market value, which is what Florio argued.

[@robe2504]

Why does everyone ignore Sam's potential trade value?? He was worth a 2nd, 6th, 4th to the Jets. Kwesi could sign Sam 2 years, 70m, with a $2m base salary and $40m signing bonus pro-rated over the 4 void years in his existing contract. That would give Sam a net 2025 cap hit of about $8m, and a very tradeable 2026 contract of $28m base salary. I'm sure Kwesi would design a much more sophisticated contract than that - point is it's very easy for the Vikes to have their cake and eat it too. Keep Sam, keep JJ, keep the cap space for a FA spending spree, have insurance for JJ, and still trade Sam for multiple picks, anywhere in a two year window - the Rams, Seahawks, Steelers, Browns are other teams that could easily come open before 2026, not to mention the inevitable QB injury. An extension would give Sam the opportunity to dispel that one year narrative, and likely increase his trade value and potential earnings.

[@brianwelp8358]

Sam Darnold is Minnesota’s quarterback for the foreseeable future. The Vikings have all the leverage. It’s just cream on top that we’ll have a great backup on a rookie deal for the next four years.

[@15jtbball]

Only if JJ is a complete bust. He’ll either walk or get franchise tagged. Vikings are not likely toto give him a big long term deal.

[@travislostaglia8861]

I don’t buy anything Flurio says at the beginning of the season he was all trade Jefferson. Then it was the Vikings need to trade for Stafford because Darnold is a bum. How do I get that job he has constantly spewing BS and getting paid for it

[@stevenreid-g2y]

Not impressed with Florio either.

[@terryallen7169]

49ers will be willing to pay Darnold. I think Shannahan would be happy to have him back... Purdy obviously isn't the answer!!

[@patrickcurran9318]

Look...Florio thought the Vikings were trading JJ for a top 5 pick. He has no odea what he is talking about. Please be quiet.

[@Score1more]

They’re in good place at Qb. Kwesi has done an awesome job

[@edguyrocks5865]

It's not a bad problem to have. The only way they sign Darnold is if we go to the Superbowl, or no team wants to give him a 3-4 year deal and he takes a 1-2year deal with MN at a Baker type rate. Then they could go to JJ in 1-2 years or sooner if there is a dropoff or injury.

[@pauleyestone7739]

Not gonna happen

[@Dotification]

Having an abundance of QB's next year is a good problem to have--"an embarrassment of riches". Depending on how things play out, I don't see them giving Darnold anything longer than 1 more year, & being happy for him if he finds a good landing spot elsewhere. I bet KOC & Josh McCown are excited to develop JJMC as a rookie, with a Daniel Jones reclamation project going as Plan B.

[@josecordero281]

It would be really stupid for the Vikings keep the unproven rookie instead of Darnold who is already playing like a franchise QB. Just because he was a first round pick... It is not like JJ has such promise in the first place, he looked really limited during that Michigan Natty. For a reason they barely drew the ball.

[@lifeisabouttheodds]

If Sam keeps playing well, he may get +50M. JJ makes 5M. Considering the success of the team is hugely based on FA’s that Kwesi signed to bolster the defense, it seems almost implausible that he would roster construct by overpaying a QB by 45M vs spending it to acquire more FA’s and rolling with JJ in 2025. He would be back in the Kirk situation all over again.

[@russelljackson8153]

Plus, Sam could look and see that the ceiling for the team will be higher next season so with a looming maybe-Superbowl in the cards, would he want to leave for a bad team?

[@SHENDOH]

If it aint broke....

[@Tony-k9i]

Keep Sam and let golden boy JJ sit and learn

[@user-mt7nj8gh3z]

Gotta keep Darnold

[@charlesrhoades3106]

I think Darnold would do well to go to Seattle.

[@Ice-Blade]

but would he do well in seattle?

[@altoncunningham4734]

@@Ice-Bladegeno is fine Sam might be a slight upgrade. He needs to stay in Minnesota

[@ruffdesignstudios1848]

No looming decision- Sam will move on and JJ steps up as tue drafted starter. KOC is the common denominator in the Vikings QB University Overhaul. Rookie contract while building the rest of the team… Bye Kirk got us better players and now we’re 12-2 looking at the #1 seed in the NFC.

[@jeannankeefe845]

If you pay Darnold you will screw up the cap space. I think if you are as good of a quarterback coach as everyone says then you work with JJ.

[@TheChillee]

Rich/Mike: the Vikings are following the KC footprint. Draw parallel to Chiefs and Alex Smith (Darnold) and one Patrick Mahomes (JJ). This has been the plan since KAM came aboard to replace Spielman that sold the Wilfs. They are committed to this.

[@Puma4986]

We need to be more vocal man, 80% of these idiot Vikes fans don’t get this at all. This is 100% correct and Kwesi will absolutely not throw away his master plan just because a mid level journeyman is playing a little better than we thought he would.

[@giuseppecarpanzano6689]

@@Puma4986 , correct, they have a plan, rookie contract qb who is talented and was really improving , {almost neck and neck with Darnold til he got hurt} Now with all the cap space, we can really focus on team construction and creating a very solid balance. People act like Darnold will have the same success next year, which we won't when we lose players because of a new big contract. Enjoy the year, love what Sam and the Vikings are doing in the present.

[@TheChillee]

Don’t need to be that vocal, it’s what will happen…and it’ll be shown as correct in the end

[@Puma4986]

@@TheChillee that day cannot come soon enough my friend 🫡

[@205959]

It’s easy folks. If the Vikings go deep into the playoffs then they keep Darnold. If they don’t advance then Darnold goes to free agent.

[@jaredpribyl]

What an awesome free agent signing for $10 million. Going 12-2 and have a legit chance to make the Super Bowl, and can potentially flip him after just one year for a first or second round pick! Doesn’t get better than that. Honestly don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to get a first for him, at least a later round or mid round 1st. Guess we’ll see. Go win the Super Bowl and we definitely getting a first for him lol.

[@samkersten9539]

Because he’s a free agent

[@jaredpribyl]

@ I’m figuring in franchise tag obviously. Projected to cost $41 million. Which if the Vikings make a run and he performed well, ppl are projecting he’ll get around $50 from some team. So someone would have no problem trading for him if we tag.

[@henrywallacesghost5883]

I think you sign Darnold and keep Mccarthy and only trade him for a reasonable offer of a pick or player.

[@robe2504]

Exactly, JJ has missed a year's work. Just run it back with Sam and flip to McCarthy when he's ready whether that is mid 2025, or mid-2026. Sam raises his value with every game and week with KOC. Trade Sam when the leverage is greatest.

[@samkersten9539]

No

[@Puma4986]

Thank god you two aren’t running the team 😂😂 gimme a break

[@jedidethfreak]

That would be the smart play, which is why the Kwesi is gonna let Darnold walk.

[@robe2504]

@@Puma4986 Why would you not keep both, until JJ was good to go? You don't want an extra couple of draft picks for Sam to boost the roster for JJ either? I don't understand your thinking.

[@jeffreyolive8375]

qBR is a style point stat. Case in point, after week 12, Murray lead the whole NFL in QBR. Yes higher that Allen, Goff and Mahomes. Rating isn’t perfect but it better than QBR

[@Score1more]

How many coaches give you the attention to detail in a way that Coach K does

[@scottfors1450]

You tell me the Vikings would roll the dice on a rookie QB if Darnold wins a playoff game?JJ Mcarthy could end up being a porcelain doll.

[@BoomMC_Inc]

Don't get a monster cast when paying monster wages. Let him walk.

[@MrHunterbg]

Here’s an idea… KEEP THEM BOTH. Could care less for the Vikings, man are these guys idiots for even thinking about a possible trade. Keep them both, let the injured kid grow until the time presents itself.

[@balamkinich7968]

This Class of QBs might end up being one of the greatest ever.

[@KleyDeJong]

What is Mccarthy's ceiling? Best case scenario? Isn't it a top 10 level qb who has the team at 12-2 with a legit shot at the #1 seed in the NFC? If we have the guy doing the thing we are looking for why not take it? I agree we need to see the playoffs. If the vikes lose in rnd 1 to LAR then yeah we walk away. But much past that is a great outcome.

[@Brian-nx3yp]

No.

[@VikingsFanSouth]

You mean "the vikings are trying to trade Justin Jefferson" florio? Nobody listens to that tool

[@bobhutton3879]

Sam is a good QB, stop tying him to my Vikings. We have 75 mil in cap space and will put together a Super Bowl O line and D and JJ will do as good if not better than Sam. Sam wins us a superbowl by his play and his play alone, let’s talk

[@lorichet]

Darnold is a big part, if not the major part, of why the Vikings have gotten this far.

[@scruffd0g193]

Unless Darnold takes a discounted deal.

[@chrisjerome4183]

Darnold might be their most popular player right now and they have Justin Jefferson. Let that marinate

[@T-eee-L]

Folks still don’t understand it’s KOC and the system, Darnold will NOT be anywhere as good elsewhere.

[@hardickmcfondle2956]

Kirk Cousins going to another team and getting benched proves that it was never him that got them to 13-4 in 2022 and that it was KOC's system.. vikes don't need to pay a hundred million dollars for a qb. Also look at what happened with the Tennessee Titans when Tannehill had ONE good season finally.. they signed him to a big deal and than he just kept getting worse and worse.

[@AnthonyArnold-ct1ci]

It's simple to me stick to the plan and take advantage of a rookie qb deal let Sam go get his money, maybe sign Jones as a backup if it doesn't cost much, but to afford upcoming free agents on their own roster and potential free agent targets and draft picks

[@snowbumm100]

I am glad at least Florio is getting the conversation going: there just aren't that many teams desperate for an expensive free agent qb this offseason. Been saying this for weeks. The most realistic possibility is tennessee moving on from levis and paying darnold. He is not going back to NY or panthers. I would be really surprised to see raiders or giants sign him. I can't see any of the bird teams swapping their current qb for darnold. Vikings may luck out and sign darnold somewhat cheap. There has been such bad deals given to qb lately the market is gonna correct itself and darnold, unfortunately for his bank account, might be the first example of such.

[@Ice-Blade]

12-2-0 vs 0-0-0

[@samkersten9539]

40 million next year vs. 5 million

[@calvinware7957]

No reason the vikings couldn't make the guy a fully gaurnteed offer of 1 year fifty million if they make the Superbowl to try and run it back

[@davidking6554]

You do not let a top 5 clutch QB with a big arm and athleticism just walk away no matter what you THINK you have with a rookie QB when you have a team that can win now. You do that and you will he mocked fog your idiocy for decades!

[@LelandMcFarland-t1c]

maybe Rams if Stafford retires? Tag and ship for draft picks 2nd and 5th

[@nicstevens6499]

This is not that difficult of a decision. Only way you don't sign Darnold to a 2-3 year deal at this point is if he loses the next three games and the first playoff game... He's proven that he has the physical talent and he fits perfectly with this staff and team. I have no idea why people are so excited about a totally unproven JJ Mccarthy with a knee injury? He can play behind Darnold like many future superstars have. JJ isn't that great everybody needs to settle down...

[@nellietolb420]

All the fans sayings sam can go cause we can make any qb good are the same fans who wanted kirk cause he was going to win us a super bowl .

[@ancapgrandscribe9546]

As a Vikings fan, this conversation is wack, I ain't care about nothin Sam Darnold until he wins playoff games, especially a superbowl, I'm tired of mid QBs, and so far he has played like an upper mid QB that'll be a 1st to second round exit until proven otherwise. And we got plenty of years with JJ to get things right, Sam Darnold only has this year until he demands too much money for our roster to be good.

[@josephdaly2041]

It’s not wack. The Vikes are 12-2 with him and he looks really good. This isn’t like when they won with Case Keenum because the defense was so stacked, Darnold has been awesome at times. JJ on a rookie contract however would give the chance to stack up the rest of the team.

[@jons.9731]

Sound like a true fan? Enjoy what you have…McCarthy’s chances of being good are slim…be realistic like a true fan

[@ancapgrandscribe9546]

@@josephdaly2041 Yeah well I ain't convinced of anything until playoff success.

[@ancapgrandscribe9546]

@@jons.9731 You ain't know ball if you don't think JJ can be good under O'Connel's system.

[@Puma4986]

@@ancapgrandscribe9546 you’re 100% correct man don’t listen to the disgusting Darnold truthers. Half the league could put up the same or better stats on this team. Thankfully Kwesi and KOC are smart enough to know that. Unlike all the fans that wanna give him the key to the city. JJ will be awesome on this team and about 40M cheaper to build a juggernaut

[@edwinjean1242]

Sam will continue to ball with the LA Rams

[@calicojack3628]

Vikings deserve to lose for a decade if they let Sam walk.

[@jakefez1031]

McCarthy all day i aint paying for a QB unless sam proves it in playoffs

[@Robert-py4ce]

What do you mean if you love something set it free? if you love something you keep it. If Donald wins a playoff game, Minnesota will re-sign him.

[@thescreamingchildren4346]

AMAZON SUCKS THE NFL NEEDS TO GO BACK TO CABLE

[@ugotmossed84]

I’m a native Minnesotan and lifelong Viking fan. Since Bud retired the only season(s) I thought they were championship caliber was 1998 and maybe 2009. We all know how those two ended. I’ve seen this movie too many times. This 2024 version is a good team that has massively overachieved. It’s just a matter of time before it all implodes yet again. I truly hope I’m wrong but deep down I know I’m not.

[@Nowayjose-z2r]

People forget MN has Jones on the practice squad. Basically volunteering and wanted to. Jones is about the same talent level as Sam IMO. So they really have 3 QB's to choose from. Also seems the vikings are not trying to get a top QB. But spend that money on top receivers and o-line. Cousins did not produce to the level he was and is getting paid. PERIOD.

[@KleyDeJong]

Crazy talk

[@Jeff-wj8vf]

Seattle beats MN 27-20. Sorry vikes fans. Hope im wrong. Skol

[@lancehanks6238]

Simple. If he wins the superbowl hand him a blank check. . . Nfc championship appearance negotiations. . . 1 and done bye bye...