Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appeared to slam the door on Sam Darnold’s return to the team following their playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
Darnold was sacked nine times and was 25-of-40 for 245 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception in the 27-9 loss. It was one of Darnold’s worst performances of the season.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, #14, passes to running back Aaron Jones, #33, during the wild card playoffs on Monday, January 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
But with JJ McCarthy waiting in the wings, it appeared that Darnold would not be back with the Vikings for the 2025 season.
“I just want to say that it’s very important that we all think about Sam’s work, what he was able to do this year, when not a lot of people thought he would be able to lead a team to 14 wins,” O’Connell said. via Pro Football Talk. “It didn’t work out in the end and I think Sam would be the first to tell you, could he have played better tonight? I’m sure he’d tell you he could have. Could I have trained better? I’m sure I could have.”
The Vikings signed Darnold in March before drafting McCarthy. However, the former Michigan standout suffered a torn Achilles in training camp and missed the season.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold at the news conference after the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
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Darnold won the starting job and surprised almost everyone in the league with a strong season. Known for “seeing ghosts” while with the New York Jets, he passed for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns – both career highs.
The last two weeks of Darnold’s season were the toughest. The team lost the NFC North division title to the Detroit Lions, 31-9, then suffered another blowout Monday.
In the end, the Vikings only lost to two teams during the season. Detroit defeated Minnesota in Week 7 and Los Angeles swept them in Week 8.
O’Connell lamented the lack of attack in the last two weeks of the season.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell pauses before answering a question during a news conference after the wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Heading into the offseason, the Vikings must choose whether to go with McCarthy and a veteran quarterback or keep Darnold until McCarthy develops.
