Sam Darnold reflects on Vikings exit following recent Super Bowl win
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings took a massive risk when they chose to move on from Sam Darnold after his breakout 2024 season.
Minnesota had invested a first-round pick in quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and they wanted to maximize the roster-building advantages that came with a rookie contract (roughly $5 million cap hit in 2025). However, by doing so, Darnold left for the Seattle Seahawks, and now, the move looks much different.
“I’m not one of those guys who is spiteful, I get where the GM was coming from,” said Darnold during an appearance on the Bussin' With The Boys podcast. "These rookie quarterbacks are on rookie deals, and teams try to strike while the iron is hot so they can pay other guys around them and make the team really good. I also understand drafting a guy in the first round and having a belief that he’s the guy.”
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 08: QB Sam Darnold 14 of the Seattle Seahawks passes from the pocket during the Seattle Seahawks versus the New England Patriots Super Bowl LX game on February 8, 2026, at Levi s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA FEB 08 Super Bowl LX Seahawks vs Patriots EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26010124302
SANTA CLARA, CA - FEBRUARY 08: QB Sam Darnold 14 of the Seattle Seahawks passes from the pocket during the Seattle Seahawks versus the New England Patriots Super Bowl LX game on February 8, 2026, at Levi s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA FEB 08 Super Bowl LX Seahawks vs Patriots EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26010124302
He also explained that he realized during negotiations with the Vikings that they weren’t trying to make a serious attempt at keeping him despite finishing with a 14-win season.
“I think for me Minnesota was amazing, having success in a place and getting to know the guys in the locker room, of course, you want to make that work,” said Darnold on the podcast on June 24. “But shortly into negotiations, it was like, ‘All right, this isn’t going to be the spot,’ you know what I mean?”
Darnold last season had a PFF grade of 79.3, and he threw for 4,048 passing yards, had 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Darnold also recorded 29 big-time throws and 19 turnover-worthy plays.
Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy struggled in his second year, posting one of the lower PFF grades among starting QBs with modest production and accuracy issues.
While Darnold and the Seahawks ended up winning the Super Bowl, the Vikings missed out on the playoffs altogether.
However, Darnold also believes that he wasn’t destined to be with the Vikings.
Darnold believes he wasn’t meant to be in Minnesota
Darnold, after realizing that the Vikings weren’t too keen on keeping him, believed that he simply wasn’t meant to stay in Minnesota, and after last season, it certainly seems to be right.
“Going back to the beginning, everything happens for a reason,” said Darnold. “There’s a part of me that looks at it and says, ‘Okay, I’m just not supposed to be in Minnesota this next year.’”
On the other hand, the Vikings have signed Kyler Murray to a 1 year cotract to challenge McCarthy for the starting spot. However, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, “there’s a decent chance we’ll see both these guys play at some point.”
How do you think the Vikings would have done with Darnold as the quarterback? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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Written by
Dhruv Vishnu Nair
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi