Vikings, QB Sam Darnold Agree to One-Year Contract

Minnesota adds to its QB room after the departure of Kirk Cousins.

On a wild first day of NFL free agency, the Minnesota Vikings saw great change sweep through their quarterback room, as longtime signal-caller Kirk Cousins reportedly agreed to sign a lucrative contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Hours later, the Vikings added to the room, as the franchise agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran QB Sam Darnold late Monday night, according to multiple reports. Darnold’s deal is worth $10 million. 

The 26-year-old Darnold, the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, has bounced around between three teams, the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, in six NFL seasons.

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Darnold was anointed New York’s franchise QB—and showed flashes of living up to that lofty title before he was ultimately dealt to Carolina in the spring of 2021. The USC product started 17 games in two seasons for the Panthers, then signed a one-year deal to join the 49ers last year. 

Six-year veteran Sam Darnold reportedly is moving from the 49ers to the Vikings this offseason / Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Darnold won the backup job in San Francisco and made one start in Week 18 after the team secured the NFC’s top seed. 

Now, Darnold joins a Minnesota QB room that includes a pair of journeyman veterans in Nick Mullens and Joshua Dobbs, as well as 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall.