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 a 27-9 loss. It was one of Darnold’s worst performances of the season.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, No. 14, shakes hands with running back Aaron Jones, No. 33, during the wild card playoff game on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
However, with JJ McCarthy waiting in the wings, it appeared Darnold would not return to 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 many 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 I have played better tonight? I’m sure he would tell you I 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 tendon in training camp and missed the season.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold at the press conference after the wild card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams on 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 good season. Known for “seeing ghosts” while playing with the New York Jets, he threw 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, and then suffered another blowout on Monday.
In the end, the Vikings only lost to two teams over the course of the season. Detroit defeated Minnesota in Week 7 and Los Angeles beat them in Week 8.
O’Connell lamented the lack of offense in the final 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 on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Entering the offseason, the Vikings will have to choose whether to go with McCarthy and a veteran backup or keep Darnold until McCarthy develops.
