What do the playoffs mean for Sam Darnold?

[@ethanabben]

100% agree about our fans constantly wanting to talk about the offseason in one of our best seasons ever. People never support anything, they'd rather say "I told you so" and think about stuff down the road instead of what's in their face.

[@jeffnotch1739]

Feels to me like watching games and looking forward to the next game is the last thing people commenting want to do. All of this discussion is irrelevant until the season is over, as Mike Tice said “enjoy the season”, you never know what will happen.

[@timothydonovan9037]

Matthew, so many of us listening do not usually comment and appreciate your insights and hard work. Best in town as far as I’m concerned. The comment section attracts certain types, which are such a small percentage of your overall listenership. Don’t waste too much time on certain folks. Thanks for all you do.

[@MrBeckPJ]

100% agree with this statement. You're my favorite Vikings reporter by a landslide, Matthew. Thank you for all your hard work and insights!

[@Saber_born]

Spot on at 52 minutes. There is still a shot, but we are acting like the season is over since the path looks so hard and since Darnold's performance on Sunday reinforced our beliefs he is a pumpkin. It's not over yet!

[@nortonbrandon6176]

Great show!!! Keep the awesome content rolling.

[@joeortiz9972]

Only way you bring Darnold back is on the franchise tag, then it's only a 1 yr deal.

[@digitalplainsmedia9466]

I agree with Manny & Matthew. I think giving KOC & the front office another year to evaluate the two QBs would only benefit the Franchise long term.

[@PurpleFaithful1]

It's impossible unless Darnold's hit is well less than the tag. The 76 to 78 mil projected cap space us because Vikings only have 33 under contract. Pretty sure Vikes will want 53 guys. 76.7 - 41.5 = 35.2 available for the 19 needed to fill the roster. Entire secondary are free agents. Signing Murphy or Bynum? No chance. 1.8 million per player. would need to screw around with Void years on big contracts and create more difficult problems down the road when Jefferson's cap hots start rocking viking land (39 million 2026, 43 2027, etc). The decisions will get very hard, if the Vikes decide to shoot their wad on Darnold, lol

[@digitalplainsmedia9466]

​@@PurpleFaithful1 well i know that it is possible as 80% of the playoff field this season is spending more on their quarterback than the vikings would be by tagging darnold next year. Hell even the broncos are paying Wilsons dead money still. Lions, Eagles, Bucs, Rams, Packers, Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, Chargers, do you need more examples?

[@B.A.S.Drydock]

@digitalplainsmedia9466 I guess it comes down to what is more important. Riding the high of one season's success and risking your future or building a complete team that eny above average qb can succeed in and have multiple runs at a super bowl. Instead of just 2 or 3. This division isn't going to get worse anytime soon. We are going to have to have a top team Ol, DL, DB, and skill players. That isn't cheap. Shoving money down the the road is not a good way to manage a budget. It is like credit card debt. The money you are paying monthly could and should be going for other things. For me, the most important thing is having a really stout team first. Then plop a good qb in it. We aren't there yet. That was extremely obvious on Sunday. Once we have that stout team. Then you only have to replace a few players each year and the qb contract isn't getting in the way.

[@mikephetteplace4178]

@@digitalplainsmedia9466 how many Super Bowls did the Vikings win with high dollar Kirk Cousins contracts?

[@mikephetteplace4178]

@@B.A.S.Drydock I agree. Do we really want to go back down the road of shoving salary cap space into future years? We did that with Cousins, and look where that got us...one playoff win!😂

[@ericlarsen3497]

Ok Mathew, I understand the lions blitzed the house on us but the best way to combat the blitzes are screens and draws, I did not see one screen last night

[@Asizzle22ZL1]

There was only one called the entire time. It was a pathetic showing from KOC and Darnold

[@GOBIAS.INDUSTRIES.]

You probably blinked at the wrong time and missed it 👍🏽

[@tshhater]

There was at least ONE screen that I can remember... in the endzone! lol 😮‍💨

[@ericlarsen3497]

@tshhater should be more

[@cliffjaden2841]

If Sam plays the Rams like he did the Lions, the Vikings won't even try to put any effort into getting a pick in a trade for him. I am a complete homer; the game I watched Sunday night was different than a lot of people are claiming. To me if Darnold wasn't up tight (and that's what it was) and hit his targets the game would have been completely different we might not have won but might have. Keep in mind Sunday night was playoff material; the team went through it without serious ramifications. Now they hit the second time with experience, Vikings win.

[@KarlRichguy]

This fanbase is so freaking exhausting. Why does no one listen to this point about Kirk’s dead cap hit? Imagine we let Darnold walk, and JJ isn’t remotely close to being ready and we go 7-10 or 8-9. It would be completely asinine to let him walk. THAT DOESNT MEAN THEY HAVE TO PAY HIM A GIANT CONTRACT NOW. You have a built in “prove it” year in the tag. Did last night spook me? Absolutely, the manner in which he performed gave me big time concerns. But there’s no universe where it’s smart to just automatically assume JJ is just ready to go. Stop making this argument, it’s emotional and irrational

[@PurpleFaithful1]

The dead money in 2025 isn't in the 78 million space available. If you tag Darnold, there isn't enough cap space to sign 53 guys. Better trade the first for 7th rounders, lmao. Basic math, dude. 53 guys needed, have 33 signed in 2025. Ergo, need 20 guys. If 42 million goes to slinging sam, still need 19 guys with the remaining 34 million. So much dumb....

[@KarlRichguy]

@ quite ironic to call people dumb and be this bad at salary math. They can give signing bonuses to move some $ in the future, you know, like they did this year. I’ve run the calculations in OTC, it’s not difficult at all to get Darnold back and fill the roster out with good players where needed

[@MajorBorris]

​@@KarlRichguy I think we're fine with Daniel Jones to start the year if JJ isn't ready. I would tag and trade Sam Darnold.

[@mikephetteplace4178]

@@KarlRichguy that is the same argument people gave before Cousins left. They were paralyzed by fear because they didn't think we could do any better. Well, look what happened. Darnold is doing better, and Cousins for benched. Let's have faith that KOC can bring up McCarthy the right way.

[@KarlRichguy]

@ darnold and Kirk aren’t the same thing. Sam doesn’t have physical limitations like Kirk does. On paper he doesn’t have deficiencies, they’re all mental. Outside of like 2 maybe 3 games he didn’t show it was an issue. I’m not saying to sign him to a 3-4 year deal, but letting go of a QB who’s capable of THIS season immediately isn’t wise. Are you gonna think this if he bounces back and wins the Super Bowl?

[@Ty_D_Skol]

It's infuriating that folks refuse to mention that we got MAULED by what was a 2nd string defense for the most part. The season may not be "done", but we now know that we are a very long shot to win it all. Its natural to be disappointed in light of the very high hopes we had. Curb the snark a bit. This is not this fanbases first rodeo.

[@martygras378]

Short passes, dink and dunk, check out the Vikings playoff game at New Orleans with Favre, how to attack an aggressive, blitzing defense.

[@Edgecrusher_]

@Purple Insider, On that big sack, Darnold got facemasked and you could see he was expecting a flag when he got up but it wasn't mentioned on the broadcast nor at all today when I listened to KFAN

[@josephcheek5821]

All that matters is the playoffs. If Darnold goes one and done JJ would not be shamed for going one and done in his first year

[@julianvanlanker1686]

Matthew just ignore those people. There's always those few people that we have to deal with in life that are annoying like that. Just don't let it get to you. Honestly, they probably just like seeing you get mad. So don't give him the satisfaction

[@mikephetteplace4178]

Coller we're going to start calling you the Purple Pollyanna!😂

[@MrBeckPJ]

That title is already taken by Paul Allen.

[@mikephetteplace4178]

@MrBeckPJ oh yes, true.

[@thomaspower221]

Vikings could have got Josh Jacobs, or Saquon Barkley. This would have helped the running game.

[@B.A.S.Drydock]

Here is a twist to just letting Sam walk. Why only have a 2 or 3 year window. Why not 5 or more. Sam has gotten everyone high on and dream of what could be. Just like 2018 and Kirk. We don't know anything about Sam or JJ next year. It is a gamble either way one cost you 40M and the other doesn't My take, is not pushing money into the future to plug up the cap then. That is what they did during the Kirk years. I 100% understand yourr explanations. For me, it is about getting as many new players to up grade as much of the team as you can with that 76M. That increases the odds of the team being really good. The odds of the winning 13/14 game's even with Sam aren't high. So if you have a better over all team while JJ gets his feet under him,, who is to say, it wouldn't be much different with Sam? I want the team first then the qb. That is what the rookie contract does . Shoving money down the road always creats big issues. I get that you can add to help the team with Sam. However, let's get that team first, so that we only have to replace 1 or 2 guys a year. We need way more then that right now. For me, Sam was never a part of the equation no matter what. JJ may be a busy, but you will have a team to put a new qb into that doesn't need up grading. This drug of what could be because of the high you just got is dangerous. JJ is a cheaper drug with less risk. I said I didn't care what their record was this year with JJ and Sam. Now I'm saying I don't care what their record is with Jones and JJ next year. Just ues all of that 76M on the rest of the team. Give Jones the Sam deal. This team is too good to suck before Sam got here. That won't change for JJ.

[@Basspundit]

I don't think the risk in going to JJ Mac is him having a 9 or 10 win season. That would be fantastic. The risk is an 8 or less win season followed by another one. Then Kwesi and KOC are on the hot seat and rightfully so, if Sam is elsewhere and leading the 49ers or Rams to the playoffs.

[@A_DTelly]

KOC likes trying to fit a square in a circle.. Like dude they’re sending the house where is the short pass game but it’s been like this all season KOC inability to adjust is pathetic

[@jeanfuselier6079]

Many Rocks!!!!!

[@redt7452]

I normally agree with Matthew on just about every Vikings take but this one I disagree. If Darnold absolutely plays bad again and we are one and done after this type of season, we need to move on. You cannot fully trust a QB that has played that good and then embarrasses the team and loses like that. Now I think he can bounce back but you should not put all that money into a QB that you know cannot preform in the playoffs which is exactly what you pay him for! To play well in those games!

[@bradpirochta9293]

Levi's story is pretty amazing. He was Holmes' 2nd draft pick after Sewell and ahead of McNeil, but had excruciating back issues. The '21 and '22 seasons were him trying to fight through the pain, and mainly failing. Had surgery in 2022 and really didn't produce in 2023. We all kinda gave up... assumed he was a bust, but he showed up in training camp 2024 a new man. Fully healthy. It was a borderline miracle. Chalk his success to Brad Holmes luck. The guy has a golden horse shoe up his ass.

[@johnkelly572]

It’s not about next year it’s about the next four years

[@BradleySteffan]

I disagree they dont have to win 14 games they just need to make the playoffs as they develop jj mccarthy.

[@banksda150]

Exactly bet he can’t name the last time that the north had two 14 win teams with the third not far behind. We invested in JJ to be our franchise QB not Sam. Bo Nix just took Denver to the playoffs while winning 10 games, the Rams only won 10 games. We need help in the interior oline, a NT and db and non of them come cheap. Darnold is a product of koc system and the talent around him.

[@martygras378]

It wasn't just the loss, Detroit showed a blueprint for how to rattle and slowdown Sam Darnold.

[@Adam-bx2br]

Now it's on the coach to find answers for that.

[@mikereynolds486]

Love the show Matthew but Kirk won 13 games and bounced in the playoffs taking up most of our salary cap and if Darnold get bounced as well are we not in the same predicament ?

[@jeffwhitney3369]

Just because you may be able to afford to spend 43 million on Darnold DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S SMART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Adam-Elenbaas]

Exactly 💯

[@MajorMNMike]

At least USA hockey won the World Junior Championship & more MN kids got gold medals & it’s our 1st time winning gold back to back

[@stevencass8849]

Aaron Nagler has called the draft “The Industrial Draft Complex” because of how fans react to the draft.

[@redt7452]

I’m glad we won 14 games this season but if Darnold plays like this again in the first playoff game, we need to let him walk. If your QB has a great regular season but absolutely curls up and embarrasses the team on national TV in the playoffs, you do not resign that player.

[@andyskoal1585]

Missing wide open people. Is not even close excusesable!

[@EKJ313_]

Yall better franchise Darnold or you’ll be sorry!!😂 #golions🦁

[@martygras378]

The Rams are NOT inferior, the Rams beat the Vikings in the regular season earlier. The Rams WRs are a tough matchup for the Vikings

[@russelltimmons9169]

No kidding. The "inferior" opponent talk is ridiculous. Thinking any opponent is inferior leads to losses. Much less one you've already lost to.

[@cliffjaden2841]

Well I wouldn't say inferior, I would say beatable. I wouldn't put anything in the first game coming off of 3 days rest and receivers playing the coaching staff wasn't ready for. Also, Darnold played just like he did against the Lions Sunday, If KOC fixes it things will be OK, if he doesn't 1 and done.

[@martygras378]

It wasn't just one game, it was a game with everything on the line, and Sam was awful, and KOC didn't have an answer to heavy blitzing defense that grabbed and held the Viking WRs all day. And Flores couldn't stop Gibbs.

[@rays8452]

Sam isn't the guy. Watch the games back in the off season. Stats aren't the whole story! Franchise Darnold and trade him for picks unless he wins a SB! I saw it with Cousins and didn't want his arse. I see it with Darnold too!! Cousins 2.0 for sure! Roll with JJ and Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones is on Giants money just like Russell with Broncos money! We don't need Sam! It wasn't only the game Sunday night at all

[@johnkelly572]

I’m sorry you’re frustrated… I’m not going to freak out if they franchise Sam for one year but you can’t pretend it doesn’t impact the books. Yes they can manipulate the cap and sign players but somewhere the bill comes due.

[@skolvikings354]

Vikings are favored on the road. Opening spread was 2.5. Don’t fret there is a great chance to win.

[@KFT-m2n]

IF Darnold plays like he did against Detroit and the Rams earlier in the season then trade him while you can get something for him and cash in on having a QB on a rookie contract by beefing up the roster. In his bad games Darnold showed what he is a good QB when he isn't under pressure or in a big game.

[@Ty_D_Skol]

Let's not overcomplicate things here. Darnold missed too many passes.

[@rays8452]

I've been calling for KOC to let Phillips have play calling duties since the Viks first loss so he can do what he's best at. Phillips has been around championship coaches all his life and I believe would have a far better ability to adjust on the fly than koc. I can tell by Darnold's body language that he's not the one. Franchise Darnold and trade him. Stick with JJ and Daniel Jones! That's what I hope happens. I don't want him just like I didn't want Cousins. Who was right on that call??? If Darnold wins the SB, then get serious about signing him to a longer term contact. Daniel Jones had a better record on a shitty team than Darnold. This dude is right, I honestly don't want him!! I called it with Cousins and I'm calling it with Darnold! Was this guy whining about how much he studies on the Cousins bandwagon? If he was well there ya go!!! Some guys are just stuck being mediocre! I've been a Viks fan for over 4 decades. I'm telling you all, Darnold isn't the one unless he proves it by winning it all this year!

[@PurpleFaithful1]

Lmao, franchise tag darnold? How? 78-42 = 36 left. Only 34 under contract after tag. Need 53-34 more. 34 million cap space/19 guys for an average of 1.78 million. Oh, and Jefferson's cap hit in 2026 is 39 million, projected to be just over 13% of the cap - you know, a higher percentage than super bowl winning qb's not named Mahomes!!!

[@Asizzle22ZL1]

I want to win the freaking Super Bowl this year!!!!!

[@Yamchas-corpse]

💯

[@hornfan2848]

I want to start off by saying Matt I enjoy your show. There's a saying that opinions are like butt holes, everyone has one and everyone else's stinks. I appreciate Manny being almost the devils advocate here. I think when Matt calls a difference of opinion "cute" is why one person says you are being a "jerk". I think you should just use the term franchise tag instead of resign, because that means 3yr plus contract and it makes people anxious if you push dead cap into future years. Also Darnold could be a Dak Prescott like QB that folds under pressure so I think how he plays in the playoffs needs to be considered. That's my 2 cents not that anyone is asking.

[@johnkelly572]

Here’s the problem in my opinion. The roster is not good enough and yes they can sign a couple of free agents and draft well and move on but I feel even if Sam plays well it’s McCarthy time and to use that extra cap space over the next 23 years to really build a roster that is top five right now the Vikings do not have that roster they need to get younger and more physical in the secondarythey need an interior offensive line perhaps three additions they need a real impact running back now is not the time to panic and pay Sam Darnold 45 or $50 million stick to the plan

[@davidhenneman3747]

I trust KOC to make the decision on QB. Why do people act like they know what will or should happen? Let's just enjoy the ride!!

[@julianvanlanker1686]

I heard the bears are interested in brian flores

[@redt7452]

If Darnold plays like crap again in the wildcard round and we lose, I do not care about the 14 wins, we need to move to McCarthy. If your QB totally folds in the game when your team needs him the most, he is absolutely not worth the resign. You pay your QB to preform in the postseason. This is exactly why we have McCarthy. Darnold plays bad again and we need to thank him and move on. Now I honestly believe Darnold will bounce back but there is a real big chance that he freaks out again and we’re one and done.

[@martygras378]

The game showed the Vikings don't matchup well playing against a playoff team on the road. The Vikings don't have a decent short passing game, too reliant on deep routes, which will not fare well on the road against playoff teams

[@electriccontrol7680]

It means that if Sam Darnold performs the same way against the Rams that he did against the Lions, HE WON'T BE WEARING PURPLE NEXT YEAR!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@kevinfessler6831]

I almost think the franchise tag is baked into the Sam Darnold cake. I suspect KOC is open to one more year with Sam but no more than that. He believes in McCarthy, and I'm also guessing Kwesi doesn't want to lock himself into an expensive QB again until he has to (ostensibly 2029 with JJ). I will say this. I see a 3 year deal for Sam, with the idea that at some point they trade him, being a greater probability than Sam walking out the door for nothing in 2025. I may live to regret that prediction.

[@adriancastaneda6156]

If the Jets hire Rex Ryan, they should go after Sam darnold because Rex Ryan was gushing over Sam.

[@calinlacasse3141]

Used to be when a team had 13 or 14 regular season wins they always got a 1st round bye.Seeding format needs to change.Sun. nights game was a bummer,but in the dance,and moving on to LA.10-7 hosting 14-3.Thats just ain't right.Sam bounces back.Vikes win 24-16

[@kevinfessler6831]

Brandel's performance was alarmingly bad, and Sunday's game was the culmination of almost two months of poor play for him. You would have thought a first time starter would struggle at the outset and settle in as the season progressed, but Brandel has regressed significantly. Is he wearing down, has he been exposed, or both? Very disappointing because the early returns suggested they'd fixed one of the OG positions, but now it appears they re-signed a backup, inserted him as a starter, and may have to address.a position they thought they'd solidified.

[@thomaspower221]

It seems Justin Jefferson is used to running routes based upon him being double and triple covered. When a man is assigned a WR, man to man, it is different, and Justin did not adjust. KOC didn't adjust. The gameplan threw off the Vikings, so much, Darnold looked lost. Kudos to the Lions. Vikings outcoached this game. Let's see what happens next time.

[@PaulHafner-f7i]

Matthew losing his cool today-franchise tag should still be an option if Darnold is decent in the playoff game

[@skolvikings354]

Don’t let the comment section get to ya wreck it Ralph !!

[@thomaspower221]

They have to go to Philadelphia eventually, Stinkin' Financial Field. Game Over...

[@ricklong3260]

The MINI-SCROTUM VIKINGS..shriveled up under the limelight..😮 ass kicking might be just is what we needed..hhmmm?

[@Holidaykills]

Simmer Simmer. No one wants another k8rko. If he doesn't win in the playoffs, hes not the guy. Hes has the best weapons in the league, and a defense, kirk never had it so good.

[@Ty_D_Skol]

You are too upset here. I look at Darnold's play against a largely 2nd string defense in a high leverage game. Then I look at our 1st round pick from last year and think, maybe HE wont choke, though I know ge may stink altogether. This is ALL speculative. Your case is too. If we put 43 mill into Darnold for a year, I trust Kwesi. Just dont get so flustered.

[@hunterwalthers9449]

It is frustrating that because of the way the Vikes lost that we have to talk about the future rather than the playoff matchup they have this upcoming week

Matthew, bounce back from Detroit is on the way!

[@jayscott7847]

Matthew your co-worker Judd Zulgad and his boy Thor are the main ones pushing this Sam sucks narrative because they can’t stand him and don’t bring him back and go to McCarthy biased is why most of these clueless fans are thinking and saying that. Here’s the truth Sam is/was a better QB prospect/talent than McCarthy ever was. I think McCarthy will be a good/ok QB in the future but NOT right now. This team is in a win now window and McCarthy doesn’t fit right now because their will be growing pains

[@sortbum]

Means he just lost a $35-45 million dollar/year contract over his play against Detroit and LA.

[@jerryconley7792]

Wake up man sam dawn or couldn't hit the side of a barn

[@BigMike12_]

We don’t want Sam Darnold back he is cooked. Kevin O’Connell is a fraud of a coach and needs to go.

[@brianlarson2644]

So tired of fickle "fans"...

[@Adam-bx2br]

I still believe that if they get good offensive execution and play like the defense gave them against the lions most of the game, they can play with ANYONE in the league. Problem is, it doesn't seem like they put together complete games very often.

[@jeffwhitney3369]

Mathew is a million miles off on this one!!!!!!! IF darnold doesn't play well against the Rams I say dont let the door hit you on the ass pal! I'm 57 years old and spent the last 7 yrs of my life watching Cousins choke in the big games. Got zero time to watch Darnold do the same!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!