Rich Eisen: What the Vikings Should Do Regarding Sam Darnold’s Future in Minnesota

[@Metaintelligencia]

I saw Sam darnold this morning at the airport still holding the football in the pocket

[@lagodifuoco313]

💀

[@Shabeast]

stop!

[@MayorWilliesSideChick4prez]

Nah uhhhhh. Liarrrrrr! I don’t believe you. Show a picture then….. (Some guy on the internet somewhere)

[@casanjt8515]

Which football ?

[@Tom-ut6ky]

@@casanjt8515 Not the one the Rams picked up and ran into the EZ. That was the only one he didn't hold too long.

[@learntoswimify]

Thanks for being respectful. Sam showed what a likeable person and great athlete he was in a whole new way this year. Wherever he lands, his journey is far from over.

[@JohnSmith-tk7nt]

He had one of the best receiving corps in the league with the best receiver in the league who draws double-teams every play. Anywhere he goes he will have a significant drop-off in the talent around him. Wishing him the best but to say his journey is far from over is naive... hes one bad season on a bad team from being done for good and thats just the biz bruh

[@wildrice-h5d]

Stafford didn’t win the SB just 3 years ago when he was 33. He left his team in Detroit, plotted with Sean Mcvey to trade Geoff for him. He’s for himself. Sam Darnold seems like a decent, mature young man of 27 y.o. He’s been bouncing around to multiple teams. He was paid cheap money and expected to win them SB? there are 18 teams without a playoff this season and paying their quarterbacks 4-5 times more than Sam.

[@johnhofer7281]

True colors came out Bud!! He Sees Ghosts…LOL…Go Bills!

[@markDwattssr]

@@wildrice-h5d Stafford put in a lot of years in Detroit with very little support. He deserved a chance to win and he got one. All worked out in the end for both sides.

[@daveclark8337]

Stafford gave the Lions all he had for 12 years of his prime. He finally had a chance to play for a good team so he took it. Barry Sanders and Megatron both hated playing for that awful Lions organization so much, it caused them to both just quit the game.

[@samallardyce2522]

​@@johnhofer7281 fun fact . sam darnold and his ghost has the same amount of suoerbowl rings with the bills

[@Bolensoft]

Thank God the Vikings did not listen to the national media. "Why haven't the Vikings given Sam a new contract?" LOL.

[@Willtellthetruth]

Your big brother’s channel with seven subscribers (all of whom are family members) does not qualify as “national media,” and no one else was saying the Vikings should have already extended Sam Darnold.

[@ndmaynard227]

@@Willtellthetruthguess espn is not national media

[@thehorrordomain924]

Nor is Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, the NFL network ..nope none of them. Just this guys 7 subscribers I guess haha.

[@kingtrance307]

@@Willtellthetruth- Will tell the lie… 😂

[@jeremytaft8247]

He only lost to two teams all year. 😂

[@jonahswitzer31]

Rich is the best. Cant stand listening to the yelling and nonsensical screaming on first take. Rich just talks with us and tells us how it is. Thank you sir for everything you do.

[@DrPhill96]

If you can’t stand listening to it, why do you listen?

[@miketrick4638]

Different strokes for different folks. You don’t need to 💩 on first take to articulate your point

[@73ajd1]

Sam balled TF out this year. Wishing him the best no matter where he ends up.

[@robertvanek1933]

He balled out except when it mattered most.

[@73ajd1]

@@robertvanek1933 You can say that about every QB that doesn't win the SB. Getting 14 wins out of 18 healthy starts from a $10 million contract is just insane.

[@frankkutzler2758]

@@73ajd1 Not really a consolation after YET ANOTHER Vikings post season collapse. 14-3 teams going one and done in the playoffs, there is no silver lining.

[@73ajd1]

@ You don't get it. They're not that good. They had no business winning 14 games. You should be saying "THANK YOU, SAM!". Ignorance is bliss. Good luck with JJ

[@youtubeconnollyfamily]

@@robertvanek1933 so does that mean Philadelphia will get rid of their quarterback, and Green Bay will get rid of theirs? You make no sense. You’re lucky to even have a good quarterback most teams don’t have that.

[@themi6sportsnetwork171]

As a Vikings fan and native Minnesotan, I am proud of the season we put together. I trust in KOC and wish the best for Sam Darnold and the rest of our players going forward. I trust our owners and coaching staff to make the right moves and decisions to maximize our championship window. Skol!

[@hibbo1351]

Same and agreed. It was a fun regular season none of us expected. Letting Sam go will make for a much easier offseason.

[@frankkutzler2758]

That the attitude! Only look at the good, completely ignore the bad, trust owners and coaches and players when they've proven over and over and over they don't deserve your trust. That's the attitude that's poisoned Minnesota sports. It's the same with the Twins and the T-Wolves (and maybe the Wild). They are soft teams because they know the fan base will always come up with the "silver lining" rather than demanding the kinds of decisions that turn good teams into great teams.

[@andrewseidl7590]

Championship window LOL

[@Win7ermu7e]

This is the way.

[@robe2504]

@@hibbo1351 Why? The plan was for him to be a bridge last season and for JJ to develop and earn the start if he could. That didn't happen. Why wouldn't you just run it back again, this time knowing that Sam is going to make JJ reach a pretty high standard? Extending Sam likely won't affect the salary cap half as much as some folks think, especially now, plus it will also avoid the $5m dead cap hit they'll get if he walks.

[@andrewjohnson9399]

Media had same exact conversation about Kirk last year. Look what the Vikings did there

[@Tom-ut6ky]

And look how Kirk performed this year.

[@robe2504]

That is not correct. I believe the Vikes offered Kirk a one year deal, or at least no guarantees past that, and Kirk went for the money and guarantees. Sam's position is much different. The offer will likely be much less, and probably still only a year, and Sam will have the choice to stay with the team and coaches and keep developing, or to chase the money. Kirk chased the money went to an new unstable situation and ended his career. I'm not sure Sam will do that.

[@andrewjohnson9399]

@@robe2504 Fair on Sam's part and Vikings might offer him a smaller contract and no starting guarantees. I'm more kind of talking about letting Kirk know they were going to get a qb in the draft and how that was always their plan rather than signing QB's to anything more than a bridge deal.

[@robe2504]

@ Sorry, if I have the wrong end of the stick, but I found both your comments pretty ambiguous tbh. Kirk was always very mercenary with his contracts so I found it pretty funny when the Falcons drafted Penix. I would have been happy for Kwesi to extend Kirk on a one year deal with limited guarantees and some playing time incentives, especially coming off that injury and starting to age out, but that Falcons deal seemed ridiculous to me from the start. I wouldn't be unhappy if Kwesi extended Sam and Daniel Jones. Starting quality QBs always have trade value. In the meantime they're getting quality coaching at a quality organisation. Win-win.

[@kangZ_94]

Ah yes comparing the 35 year old QB fresh off an Achilles injury to a 27 year old entering his prime. Totally the same

[@giuseppecarpanzano6689]

JJ McCarthy is also number 9

[@jayscott7847]

So that means he will be trash just as well

[@softjones3128]

@@jayscott7847 Love to see your resume lol

[@jayscott7847]

@ check McCarthy’s college resume. That’s where your answer is

[@Tom-ut6ky]

@@jayscott7847 We did 27-1 is impressive. Harbaugh saying he would have drafted him 1st overall if he could have. Now let's look at 3rd down efficiency since MIchigan was primarily a running team. McCarthy was dominant on third down attempts in 2023. He completed 53-of-79 passes (67.1%) for 729 yards (13.8 yd per completion) with a 169.67 passer rating. In situations of 3rd-and-7-plus yards, he completed 36-of-49 passes (73.4%) for 544 yards with 27 first downs or touchdowns (6). Dunno about you, but I f'n LOVE those college stats. Talk about performing under pressure!!

[@TheHardQPod]

9 9 9 🤔

[@giuseppecarpanzano6689]

Ofcourse Sam would want to come back, but i'd bet majority of fans seen enough to move on, and ready go with JJ McCarthy and spend the big cap number on o line, etc.

[@lagodifuoco313]

Of course* Two words, you dunce.

[@lagodifuoco313]

Saw* not seen. Or "have seen"

[@lagodifuoco313]

Also, are ready*

[@lagodifuoco313]

The grammar police 🚔 save the day.

[@lagodifuoco313]

The majority*

[@pathoyer5402]

Aaron Glenn showed how to beat the Vikings and the Rams duplicated what the Lions did.

[@CrudPig12]

Yup, best defensive strategy. Just let Darnold implode.

[@IsaiahNash-q1k]

​@CrudPig12 I think they will be fine with jj McCarthy next idk wat u think ?

[@BB-xq6rj]

Yep confuse Sam where the pressure is coming from and cover on the back end and he turns into a pumpkin. KOC should have known it was coming

[@jdocean1]

Rams used the same tactics in week 7 to beat the Vikings.

[@usernametaken5619]

Yup the Lions broke Sam and showed the Rams how to beat them. Big assist in the second game by their HC not changing anything for the Rams game lol.

[@bearpowers166]

If you watched the close-ups of Darnold's eyes when he was scrambled there is definitely fear there. I noticed it during the Lions game. Goff on the other hand is Lazer focused even under pressure.

[@CorePathway]

He wasn’t seeing ghosts. He was seeing monsters

[@mrdarkshoe]

As a Packers fan I can agree with this. Everytime you see Goff's face he NEVER looks at the pressure. His eyes are always downfield even when he's about to get smacked, part of what makes him a tough competitor.

[@humchan2k]

Diaspora is not a big word. Rich is just educated.

[@Sly_Glide]

....it doesnt mean wandering in the desert....

[@dinkumthinkum4247]

@@Sly_Glide Sure it does, given Rich's ancestral heritage.

[@martinoamello3017]

Vikings fans, ask your doctor if Diaspora is right for you.. 😅

[@Tom-ut6ky]

Especially if you've ever read a world history book. Europe and Asia is one diaspora after another in every other page, it seems.

[@internetexplorer1593]

@Sly_Glide 👃

[@HOV4N]

Sam Darnold came in to be bridge QB and he did just that. Don’t resign him, but go to the future, JJ McCarthy.

[@chrisgronskei5416]

Agreed, Darnold is a good #2 but he will never be a starter, or at least a good one.

[@robe2504]

How did he bridge exactly? JJ was supposed to develop and earn the start. JJ hasn't done either of those things. So if we're being consistent and sticking to the plan, then extending Sam to be that bridge, and competition for JJ in 2025 makes a lot of sense.

[@smokeybandit9760]

I'd bring Sam back if he was willing to be a backup to JJ. Sam really has nowhere to go that's a better situation for him, he should stick with the Vikings

[@nathankickham6298]

@@chrisgronskei5416He got 14 wins. That proves he’s a starter.

[@robe2504]

@ Shouldn't JJ have to outplay Sam to become the starter? Otherwise we agree.

[@mjtmn]

Darnold over cousins in a heartbeat, not even close comparison between the quality of the two. He will have ended up only losing to the ultimate Superbowl winner, and the only other team he lost to will also get bounced from the playoffs by the SB winner

[@TheEldenwhite]

Calling a Professional Football team's roster a diaspora is the worst burn I've ever heard.

[@nortescarpetcleaning]

Great take Rich.

[@cesarsanchez9697]

The Vikings just got a raw deal. A team that performed like that all year deserves a home playoff game.

[@WhiteCheddar.]

The rules is the rules and the facts is the facts. They should have won 15 games if they want a home game 😢

[@ravezjones7218]

Did we all not watch the same JJ McCarthy at Michigan???? What about his game would make you believe he would've led this Vikings team to 14 wins this year??

[@Puma4986]

You clearly didn’t watch any JJ at Michigan. The throws he made and made consistently, oftentimes on 3rd down after Harbaughs first two runs didn’t work, were up there with the best. His leadership, pocket presence, awareness, arm strength and mobility are all better than Sam. And it’s all on tape for you to go watch. Tom Brady won his first 3 super bowls on run first defense oriented teams. Then when he needed to turn it on in 2007 he did and became arguably the best passer of all time. Just because someone is in a run first offense doesn’t mean they aren’t good or can’t be pass first. Look at how much Herbert threw this year compared to years past. Harbaugh doesn’t run that kind of offense. Kaepernick wasn’t putting up huge passing numbers in San Fran either. You’ve got some homework to do and you’ll be eating some serious crow next year.

[@DerrickRG]

Oh idk, maybe the whole coming in clutch thing that wins you a National Championship.

[@JorgeM270]

@@Puma4986 Is JJ McCarthy your uncle or something. Jesus christ.

[@Puma4986]

@ no but as the great T.O. once said: “that’s my quarterback 🥲” so when someone who is clearly clueless is running his mouth I’m gonna tell him he’s wrong and why. And it looks like quite a few people agree with me.

[@73ajd1]

@@JorgeM270 Puma is JJ's screen name. Wolverine was already taken.

[@Cityaperture]

If Kirk Cousin keeps getting chances, then so should Sam Darnold.

[@heavymetallabrat]

Vikings fans were so quick to turn on this guy. Anyone watching that game could see the O line was atrocious. This kid had a career year and got thrown away the instant they met a better team.

[@davidb9531]

Sorry but this is just not true, the O Line wasn't great but he was given more than enough time, held on to the ball way too long

[@TheHardQPod]

JJ please NEXT!! If you can’t handle the heat time to get out of the kitchen

[@strawberryreacts9585]

6 of 9 sacks he held the ball for over 4 seconds and the other 3 he held it for over 3 seconds. He had plenty of time to get rid of it. Players were open or heck, throw it away!

[@DustinHaning]

Go ahead and let your team give him a huge contract then, we're good!

[@pwnchmonkey1]

​@@davidb9531 i account some of this to play calling. Sometimes you gotta start going short and getting the ball out of his hands. I think it was a mix of several things

[@kameronerdman5870]

0:14 you should’ve end that with “and number 9 (JJ McCarthy) will be the starting QB in 2025” because what in the hell was that the past 2 weeks Darnold!

[@drplot1]

I think the loss of Christian Darrisaw, who is as good an offensive tackle as there is in the league made a huge difference. The whole offensive line played better when he was playing.

[@tylerbarrett6652]

WHAT are you guys talking about? Darnold wasn't the one coming up with the plays, was he? He didn't come up with the itinerary for practice, did he? KOC should have recognized that his O-Line was having problems... and the same plays were NOT going to get you the wins. They needed a short passing game... and not just a "relief valve". They needed LOTS of them.... where Sam could get the ball out in 2 seconds.... 3 max. KOC didn't give him those options.... he set Sam up to fail, basically. Yeah, they need to bolster their O-Line... but failing that, they needed plays that would work with a weak O-Line.

[@jackbowis6650]

What game did you watch? How many of those sacks had an open receiver in the void left by the blitz? How many times did Darnold tuck the ball and lose 8 yards instead of just throwing an incompletion for 0? No QB takes 9 sacks because of the playcalling, or even the O-Line. They take that many sacks because they freeze when the pass rush comes instead of throwing the ball away. Darnold had a terrible mental day in Week 18 and this week. He broke under the pressure. Yes, it's a team game, but receivers can't catch inaccurate passes, the O-Line can't be expected to protect for 5+ seconds every play (especially against the blitz), and the playcaller can't scheme you out of a 3rd and long every drive. The QB has to execute, and in the last 2, most important games of the season, Darnold didn't. JJ is the future for the Vikings. He's won a national title. With all the pressure college football had to offer, he didn't buckle. Footwork and throwing mechanics can be improved through coaching. Everyone has their limits when it comes to mental toughness. I hope Darnold can push past his current mental barriers, but if it didn't happen this year, why would I expect it to happen over the next 3?

[@StoneyguyHaoleboy]

The interception happened because it came out wayyyyy too late. Gotta be thrown before the receiver's break.

[@NickTarterOKC]

He gave them a fantastic season. They should give him at least a couple more seasons in their system to see how he develops. Good QBs are tough to come by and Darnold proves that he is capable of being well above average.

[@DustinHaning]

We already have a guy to develop in JJ McCarthy, paying a huge amount of money to develop a 28 year old QB that collapses in big games is just insane.

[@ehansbrough593]

​@@DustinHaningHe is 27. And he didn't collapse. Glenn took away the Vikings deep passing attack, exploited their major weakness - a suspect OL, and roughed up their WRs to throw off their timing routes. And the Rams replicated this defensive game plan. KOC, who is a great young HFC, was not able to adjust accordingly. When will fans learn, you cannot win in the playoffs if you're getting dominated in the trenches. The Vikings OL got dominated in both games. Name any QB who plays great when their OL is getting dominated. I'll wait...

[@natej84]

Only 3 QBs have ever been sacked 9 times in a playoff game. Darnold, warren moon and joe burrow. Only Burrow won the game 19-17 against the titans

[@deadprecedents1]

Not bad company for Darnold to be in.

[@claytonjones8358]

Moon got sacked 12 times against Dallas in 85 as well

[@JuiceManJ91]

Burrow also had 0 TDs, 1 INT, and a 33 QBR ☠️

[@natej84]

@JuiceManJ91 he also threw for 350 and had a 93.3 QB rating. Not many QBs can perform that good while running for there life. Hell even the one game Mahomes had with a bad Oline, the Superbowl vs the bucs, he had two ints a 52 QB rating but only got sacked 3 times. That KC Oline was still better. PFF says that Bengals Oline was the worst playoff Oline in history

[@JuiceManJ91]

@@natej84 incorrect, his QBR was 33…. His passer rating was 93. QBR is universally considered a better metric in evaluating performance. It was a good try at an angle to push a narrative tho, but baseless nevertheless

[@maverick214]

Sam Darnold led the Vikings to 14 wins. Vikings fans seem to forget that they wouldn't have got anywhere near the playoffs without him. QBs that throw for 4,300 yards and 35 TDs don't grow on trees in the NFL.

[@frankkutzler2758]

"Sam Darnold led the Vikings to 14 wins". So? I guarantee you Vikings fans would have traded two or three of those wins for a playoff win. Playoff games are all that matter.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

He's also 1 of 8 QB's in NFL history to throw for 4,000+ yds and win 14 games. Goff did it this year also. Darnold did it on his 4th team, after going through 5 OC's in 6 years, in his first year in Minnesota. The other 6 are all HOF'ers. Vikings fans must be the dumbest fanbase on the planet, or just completely ignorant -- there's no way the Vikings aren't bringing him back.

[@frankkutzler2758]

@@MoMoMyPup10 But they don't give championships for gaudy stats. The ONLY thing that matters is if you win the game. 4000+ yards in 14 games only matters for losers.

[@DustinHaning]

14 regular season wins, which are meaningless when you go one and done in the playoffs. If nothing else Sam just proved how good KOC's system is, which we already knew. I'll take my chances with the guy that isn't a deer in headlights as soon as the lights are bright.

[@LuigidiArmani]

​@@MoMoMyPup10Who cares if he throws +4000 yards if he couldn't win a Wild-Card Game. KOC is also responsible. Moreover, KOC has lost two Wild-Card games.

[@colemilz]

Brockman... JJ McCarthy would not have led this team to 14 wins... Thats absolutely hilarious Also the Vikings won 14 games against opponents not named the Lions or Rams... Which is such a Vikings thing to happen

[@TraumaTizedLOL1]

brockman isnt that bright. As is evident every episode

[@kameronerdman5870]

I agree with brockman. There was a few games where the Vikings should’ve lost because Sam was so bad but the defense bailed him out. Most notably the 12-7 win against Jacksonville

[@Tom-ut6ky]

Why is his opinion any more hilariaus than your dismissive opinion of JJM? At least HE has evidence supporting his. YOu have nothing but an unsupported criticism.

[@kameronerdman5870]

@ facts

[@colemilz]

@@Tom-ut6ky my criticism is supported because rookie quarterbacks don't win 14 games. I'd love to hear how him being the QB of an undefeated season in college means he would've won 14 games

[@take5DD]

Thank you Sam for a great season. You're a good guy. Good luck next year, whether it be with us or with another team.

[@illwind56]

Also 9 points against the Lions in week 18, and 9 points against the Rams in the playoffs.

[@junehanzawa5165]

9 wins in a row, 9 sacks taken, and 9 points scored in each of the last 2 games of the season. At the end of the day, Darnold turns into Darnold, just as Baker turns into Baker and Geno turns into Geno when the pressure is on. Darnold had a great regular season up to the last game when the pressure of playing for the #1 seed was on the line. Then he turned into the USC Darnold, the Jets Darnold and the Carolina Darnold. He deserves Baker and Geno money. Nothing more.

[@Zangyaks]

Baker played lights out, they didn’t let him throw the first half and just ran the ball into a stacked box. He had that flukie fumble but he was posed the whole game. Not sure what you are smoking. Their defense was in shambles this year due to injuries. It’s a miracle they even made the playoffs. Baker had a 145 passer rating this game and only had 3 incompletions. One of those incompletions hit McMillian right in the chest.

[@johningle1]

I agree he deserves Baker and Geno type money. He will be set for life. 3 years, $95 million, $35 million guaranteed. If after one year you want to move on, you only have like $5 million dead cap. EZ.

[@The_Real_ZC]

Baker money? The two games that mattered Darnold put on some of the worst QB performances in team and playoff history. He'll be a bridge starter on a 1 yr deal

[@jamesfoster4106]

Speaking of 9's. Hopefully the Team looks different next year under their new #9 JJ.

[@damion1011]

I think baker has dog in him. Got the browns their first and only playoff win since 2000, beat the eagles last year too.

[@Robert-py4ce]

I knew that the Vikings were going to wait and see how things went after the season. Personally I think Sam had a great season. I know things are still raw for the team and the fans, but I still think the Vikings benefit from keeping him on the team. This was his first playoff experience, and no one expected the Vikings to even get to the playoffs. He is an upgrade over Kirk, and now he has a full season under his belt. Let JJ and DJ fight it out for number 2 next year.

[@stevenswartz4620]

The Vikings need to redo the whole offense line that has been the biggest issue for a long time that has cost several Viking QBs

[@alexandercoleman7899]

I understand the QB emphasis and why folks like Sam Darnold but this is lacking some objectivity. Somehow when the team won, it's all because of him, however when the team lost, it's a team game don't pile on the quarterback

[@Thedog9]

What I find interesting is that everyone is talking about how it cost Darnold a lot of money, but Herbert literally played like cheeks in his two playoff game.

[@JEAARCHITX]

He had a great season. Period. How about the Super Bowl loss KC to Tampa Bay 31-9. Should they have gotten rid of Maholmes?

[@dano8726]

Best video I have seen about this subject so far!

[@rubenquiros4859]

Sam Darnold will be starting for the Steelers, Raiders, or Browns next season.

[@walterhibbard4096]

I can see Steelers, I doubt he goes to the other 2 unless no one wants him

[@bnellyneeley8468]

Doubt the browns they have a top pick this year

[@joshk5470]

Browns just make too .uch sense 😂 he'll see the ghost of Watson, Flacco and all the ghosts of browns qb past!

[@junehanzawa5165]

The Giants and the Saints are more likely than your latter 2.

[@joshk5470]

You sign him to a 3 year front loaded deal. See how JJ looks in practice and his development. If Sam carries the team another year, great problem to have. If he drops the ball hopefully what you see in JJ is good and worth development

[@mrwildwest]

I think the Vikings keep him for less now. You get both QBs and don't spend 50 million. Darnold won't want to leave... and they should let him stay on friendly deal. Remember jared goff had to learn and have tough moments.... LA sent him packing and now he's a stud. You don't just throw out a QB that had the season Darnold had. Let him grow

[@TaeDoloSolo]

I’d give him, 2 yrs, 30 mill per… just to give JJ time to fully heal and still keep the team competitive

[@cruzinthruspace]

How come Dak Prescott can play for 30 years and win 13 games every year and losing the playoffs and still make millions and be considered elite by some of you expert analysis

[@edsteadham4085]

Like who? Who considers him elite?

[@frankkutzler2758]

30 years at 13 wins a year? I think I'd remember a QB that did that.

[@StarboundUK]

If you get to the playoffs multiple times for the team that drafted you that team will more often than not will pay you. Dak sure ain't top 5 he's not top 10 but what he is is a former 4th rd QB who played multiple years on no money, won Offensive Rookie of the Year & then ultimately got paid by Jerry after being tagged twice for being good enough. If Darnold had taken the Jets to playoffs multiple times he'd be paid by the Jets too

[@misterrobert6799]

That defense would have destroyed just about every QB. Go easy on the guy.

[@drancealot]

I don't think I've ever seen someone work so hard and do so well for such a long stretch only to lose everything in the end. He was going to get a huge bag until he completely imploded.

[@lagodifuoco313]

Dak Prescott

[@lagodifuoco313]

And Dak got the biggest bag to date in history.

[@joshk5470]

He'll still get a bag, teams are qb hungry and he showed he can play well enough to get to the playoffs.

[@grantorino2009]

Isn't football a TEAM sport. Do you think you could win if you got sacked 6 times in the first half?

[@quasistellar]

@@joshk5470 Exactly. He'll get a nice payday from a team that needs a quarterback and isn't a top 3 pick in the draft, and there are several of those. Minnesota already has their guy (assuming they like what they saw in preseason and during his recovery). Build up the trenches around him.

[@jnsfrahm]

I believe in Sam. Some of these issues (holding the ball too long or interceptions) are due to the receivers not getting any separation or the defenders are just that good.

[@dkgdkg2178]

He just doesn't have it. Drafted before Josh and Lamar....never going to get there.

[@edsteadham4085]

Hes on his 4th team. This is who he is

[@ronniemata5724]

I just wonder if there would be the same "nervous" look on Darnold's face if he wasn't LITERALLY playing for his future. It is a hard decision that MIN will have to make, but I do think Darnold had a lot more than the game at hand this last weekend. Interested to see how he fares as a named starting QB with a 3-4 year deal.

[@russelljackson8153]

I was in middle school when my brother went outside to escape the bad mood of our parents watching the Vikings lose to Oakland in the Super Bowl. I have spent my entire life as a fan wanting them to finally get back there and win. I don't think it's ever going to happen.

[@TheCountofToulouse]

He'll get a one year deal or franchise tagged. Perspective is needed, VERY FEW QB's would have been able to handle the pressure the Rams were bringing last night.

[@DigbyCCeasar]

I watched that game and I am reasonably certain Sam did not make the only Viking mistakes. Even if you give five of the nine sacks to him for holding the ball (which he did way too much), the offensive line still let him get dropped four times which is ridiculous for any game much less a playoff. The defense looked terrible, and they got squashed in every conceivable way they could have gotten squashed for the last two games.

[@szahmad2416]

"Diaspora" is a perfect word, and I DO appreciate the reference. Where a population of a tribe or city or country is dispersed throughout the world. Perfect reference for a team that was taken apart.

[@kangZ_94]

“You have to start him if you drafted him that high” Trey Lance says hi

[@jamespratt7526]

Here’s where I struggle with this. If you ask Rich to, hand on heart, say “can you see winning a superbowl with Darnold?” I bet he answers no. Cos the talent elsewhere on the team would have to be so high to offset/overcome Mahomes/Allen/Lamar etc. And if the answer is no then you have to move on. They aren’t in the business of winning more 9-12 win seasons and getting bounced as the 7 seed.

[@noobguy57]

this exactly

[@danbelden7354]

Darnold holds the ball too long. They need plays to get quick release from coverage and shorter

[@lynnerose7891]

Chris is nuts. McCarthy might not have won 8 games. He IS NOT a good QB. Certainly not any more mobile.

[@kameronerdman5870]

9:55 yes you do start JJ McCarthy because of where he was drafted. It’s not like love and Rodgers who were drafted in the late 20s and sat the bench for 3-4 years, the Vikings have a top 10 pick who will be ready to go next season and you only get 4 years with those guys to pay them at a major discount and stack the rest of the roster. Darnold was on the team because he made 10 million, not because they wanted him to be the QB of the future. I’d be shocked if the Vikings bring him back

[@robe2504]

If starting a guy because of his draft position is your logic then its Darnold QB1, Jones QB2 and JJ QB3. Stupid argument. You start the guy who is playing best. How do you know JJ will be ready to go in September? He's not even playing football right now, and never has in the NFL. Why wouldn't the Vikes bring Sam back at $15-20m and make JJ earn the start.

[@kameronerdman5870]

@ because that’s 15-20 million that they wouldn’t be able to use on the offensive and defensive line which they desperately need help with, also there will likely be multiple teams offering Darnold more than that. The difference with Darnold/jones and McCarthy is Darnold/jones have proven to be a bust across multiple seasons being a starter and JJ we don’t know yet, other than he lost 1 game in college. JJ had a meniscus repair in August, that’s not a type of injury that keeps players out longer than a year

[@robe2504]

@@kameronerdman5870 It's not going to affect the cap that much, period. That's not how the cap works. The Vikes are going to spend decent money on a back up because of 2023. Kwesi said that was the biggest thing he learnt in 2023. Sam has a dead cap hit of $5m this year is he leaves, $1.25m if he is extended. The Vikes will spend $10m on a decent back up QB anyway whether it is Sam or Jones. So if you extend Sam for $20m it would only take away about $6m of the cap space that would potentially be there for the IOL anyway, and that is before Kwesi does any magic with the contract structure. So, No - it would stop Kwesi spending up on the IOL and IDL at all.

[@kameronerdman5870]

@ I just disagree man. I don’t want to spend ANY extra money on Darnold when McCarthy is obviously the future that needs starting experience. They didn’t draft him 10th overall to sit on the bench

[@dolipops]

5:08 "I mean, what are we... Rich." lmfao

[@robprice3622]

Baker Mayfield literally cost that team the win in the playoffs with really poor decisions and no one‘s asking for his head. Offensive line played horrific it’s the guys first playoff game, it’s crazy how people are so quick to right anyone off the second they can. The hc is right you’d be insane to let him go. Jj might not work out at all

[@edguyrocks5865]

That was one folly. Not 25.

[@SliderJR222]

This is a good take.

[@youtubeconnollyfamily]

What else are they going to do? What if JJ McCarthy sucks. It’s not like there’s another great quarterback out there they can bring in. He had a bad playoff game. It was because of him you got there though. Guess what Jordan love sucked too so did hurts. Is Philadelphia going to get rid of their quarterback or is Green Bay?

[@2000ibelieve]

I agree.. sam lost to Detroit twice and Rams twice.. the receiver talent is that elite that many other quarter backs can do as good.. these receivers can catch bad balls thrown their way.

[@kerrymartin8323]

Why can't the NFL find some consistency in officiating???? The incomplete pass call is a total sham, and a face mask penalty being assessed without a flag being thrown is incomprehensible.

[@ThymeKeeper]

The Vikings offensive line play was nonexistent. In the Detroit game, the Lion secondary had a better game than the Minnesota receivers. Darnold looks stunned every time I see him, but in these cases it wasn't so much that he made bad decisions but that the decisions were made for him these cases and he did not respond to that particularly well. The thing is, most players, after they have been in the league for a few years are exactly what they are ever going to be. If they look better than that briefly, they will almost always regress to the mean.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

He's 1 of 8 QB's in NFL history to throw for 4,000+ yds and win 14 games. Goff did it this year also. Darnold did it on his 4th team, after going through 5 OC's in 6 years, in his first year in Minnesota. The other 6 are all HOF'ers. But even back then we saw streaks of high-level play from him on bad and poorly coached teams. But it's hard to be consistently good on bad teams, especially while learning a new system. The kid hasn't reached his ceiling yet.

[@ulfrekkr94]

O-line was exposed. Not on darnald

[@guycharles8061]

Sam Darnald earned the QB 1 spot. Let JJ sit behind him and learn

[@cbalexander4444]

O’Connell’s play-calling was partly or mostly responsible for Darnold’s disastrous performance 🏈🍺✌️

[@blakeferris7797]

I actually think that what Rich Eisen was referring to as far as both Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, the tune that comes to mind is Wherever I May Roam by Metallica, no more vagabond!

[@ck1011Original]

Yes, starting the QB with no NFL experience right away because they were drafted really high always works every time. Doubly so after an injury. Just give Darnold a front loaded 3 year deal and let JJ sit a year and then Darnold can be backup or cut if he wants to move on. Just give Darnold 45mil a year, get called stupid for overpaying him, then watch QBs make twice that in 2030

[@schmoopii]

Brockman comparing JJ McCarthy to Jayden Daniels and just assuming he would win 14 games with the Vikings this year is a craaaazzzy take

[@conniebauer4128]

Vikings QB room next season: JJ Mccarthy, Daniel Jones, Nick Mullens

[@tenofdiamonds6440]

Hearing a word you’re unfamiliar with should compel you to look it up and perhaps utilize it rather than just use the same handful of phrases the rest of your life.

[@robe2504]

The plan for Darnold to start and JJ to take over at some point was complicated by JJ's injury and Sam's unexpectedly elite performance. The season ended with a huge let down, but the 2025 situation is little different from the beginning of 2024 - except Sam's ticket price started at $10m, inflated to the $41m tag mid season and depreciated to more like $15-20m late season. I don't see why the original plan wouldn't still hold.

[@JC-pq4ul]

Bo Nix and J. Daniels were awesome this year!!!!!!!! JJ can too next year!

[@baseballbobby7090]

I already know rich eisen is taking his glasses off as he sighs about Sam darnolds future

[@bigDean636]

Very weird that Rich is talking about Darnold like a second year player taking his lumps rather than a 27 year old journeyman. This is who he is.

[@trqenaw]

How about 9 points in each of the last two games?

[@lagodifuoco313]

Today, with the Sam Darnold story, is proof that not all publicity is good publicity.

[@mat.356]

Diaspora applies perfectly to Darnolds and Baker situation before they landed in their current teams!

[@davidmoe4384]

Sam wasn't perfect, but this was a complete failure by the offensive line. Watch the highlights, it's obvious. If Sam had better protection the result would be very different. Another note, why the hell is a 14-3 team playing at a 10-7 stadium?! The NFL failed here.

[@jojodoman]

Because they failed to win their division they play on the road

[@sportsfisher9677]

​@@jojodoman I was about to say that.

[@scruffd0g193]

Stop it Rich, Vikings should let Darnold walk in free agency and go to JJ McCarthy next season.

[@R17759]

It would be crazy to go to the guy who hasn’t played and just blew out his knee. He also looks like he lost 30 pounds.

[@Puma4986]

@@R17759 well good thing the 2025 season doesn’t start tomorrow 🙄

[@leonardshevlin7260]

How about a comparison to Jaren Hall? Darnold is only nine months older than last year's rookie.

[@IanSane]

I wondered at the time if the Lions had figured something out, some weakness in Darnold's game that they exploited and exposed to the world. A week later with a second performance like that, I suspect that's the case and the Rams picked up on it. It reminds me of Goff's end in LA. The Rams got destroyed by the Patriots in the Superbowl and Goff was suddenly ineffective the next season. What Belichick had figured out is that McVay was reading the defenses for Goff and relaying it through the headset. So the Pats defense would wait until the headsets switched off before the snap and then change formation so that McVay's read would no longer apply and Goff couldn't read the new formation himself. Every other team picked up on it and Goff was seemingly done as a QB until the Lions rejuvenated him. So maybe this is a similar thing where there's more to Darnold's success than meets the eye and once one team figured him out the strategy was revealed for everyone.

[@burrellbikes4969]

The teams with defensive lines dominating, have been the winning teams. Pretty much every game. The DL’s are winning these games.

[@Dogwalkingmom22]

Rich forgot to add and only 9 points for both games.

[@LaneQuenemoen]

boys, the game is won in the trenches and Vikings need to address both sides of the ball.

[@brent4723]

Either or, Rich? A fair reaction. My sense is that both are true. And your analysis of Sam's accomplishment is spot on. But Sam costs $35M next year, and the Vikings need to spend their available cap space on the interior of the offensive line plus speed on defense to become a genuine Super Bowl contender. I loved Sam in purple this year. This is JJ's team now.

[@jerwur39l94]

The truth is midway through the season 3/4 of the vikings fanbase was ready to extend darnald to a massive contract

[@caderatliff3712]

Darnold's happy feet had him missing so many open routes. A cool head would have seen the whole field and moved that offense on the Ram's D, even with a suspect O-line.

[@justinbrown4045]

The pass some QBs get and its all of a sudden a team game or your name is Dak, Lamar, or Jalen needs to be studied.

[@thomaspower221]

12:04 "it's a team game" True, Lions and Rams wanted it more. They raised their level of play. Vikings did not seem to understand raising their level of play. Simple as that.

[@kennethweaver8029]

So Rich, I see you still speak fondly of Baker. Even the reality of the situation can't affect your bromance. Maybe next year!

[@BrennonOne]

I GREATLY appreciated the use of diaspora, Rich. 😂

[@84SuperBeast]

Not defending Darnold, because he definitely could have played better, but why does it seem like the coach is getting a complete pass on the blame game? I'm just a casual viewer, but it seems like after Darnold got pressured all game long by what some would call a practice squad defense from the Lion's they'd maybe want to get the ball out of his hands fast against a much better front 7? Just seemed like they didn't adjust the gameplan from week to week or throughout the game.

[@edsteadham4085]

Every show ive watched people are taking shots at koc

[@jacobzelasko945]

"Jalen Hurts isn't the reason the Eagles won" No, but Jordan Love is. Still a quarterback.

[@kainme1901]

Remember Case Keenum won 12 or 13 with the Vikings to. How'd that work out?

[@Straight.cash_homie]

In 120 minutes of football, Darnold's play caused about 100 million dollars of his potential next deal to vaporize.

[@davidnacy1324]

9 wins in a row, 9 sacks taken, and 9 points and don't forget Stafford wears the number 9 lol

[@JakeHamm-nc7xk]

I agree with Rich. Keep Darnold, at a cheaper price. He’s still developing, and he was a top 5-7 qb this season. If his o-line woulda blocked these past 2 weeks then he wouldn’t have been so bad. The o-line was awful

[@CrudPig12]

We don't need a 27 year old developmental project. Go with the kid and see what he has. They have plenty of cap space to improve the roster around McCarthy.

[@Puma4986]

He was done developing years ago and he is who he is. He will absolutely not be coming back.

[@JakeHamm-nc7xk]

@ that’s an extremely ignorant statement considering his growth and development this whole year lol

[@JakeHamm-nc7xk]

@@CrudPig12 plenty of cap space…..so why not keep Darnold and plan for him as the backup for McCarthy then? Darnold isn’t going to be extremely expensive, I don’t expect

[@Puma4986]

@@JakeHamm-nc7xk yea and where did it end? Exactly like he was on the Jets. KOC covered up all the warts as long as he could. What’s ignorant is wanting to handicap our team that has so many holes and few draft picks by overpaying a bad QB when we already have other needs and a QB we drafted 10th overall who would’ve played by mid season had he not been hurt. Sorry you aren’t with the program

[@ZDAQQ4]

Have a feeling Darnold ends up with the Raiders

[@TrippSC2]

It totally depends on what you think the cause of the performances was and if you can coach them past it. I'm not convinced either way, but I wouldn't want to bet the market value cap space on him fixing it.

[@TheBlane1]

As a Vikings fan I do not want to see Darnold again. It’s jj McCarthy’s team. Guy won a national championship and won’t freeze in big moments