McCarthy’s season ends before the No. 10 overall pick had the chance for it to begin, which clears the path for the 27-year-old Darnold to inherit the starting quarterback role Week 1.
While it is always possible that the Vikings trade for a veteran between now and the season opener, Darnold will likely get the first chance at winning the top job and could prove to be one of the bigger bargains among starting quarterbacks this season.
Sam Darnold Contract Details
The Vikings signed Darnold as a free agent this offseason, following Kirk Cousins’ departure to the Atlanta Falcons, seemingly with the notion that he could serve as a veteran backup and help prepare any incoming rookie quarterback throughout the spring and summer ahead of the regular season.
Darnold signed a one-year deal worth $10 million, and his contract includes a $6.25 million signing bonus, a $2.5 million base salary, along with a $250,000 workout bonus, and he’ll collect $58,823 each week that he is active, according to Spotrac.
There is always the possibility that the Vikings tear up Darnold’s current contract and rework it ahead of the regular season, given that he is the presumptive starting quarterback.
However, if Darnold plays on his current deal, he’ll rank as the 22nd-highest-paid quarterback in the league.
Through his first 66 games, Darnold has completed a meager 59.7 percent of his passes for 12,064 yards with 63 touchdowns to 56 interceptions. In Minnesota, though, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft may have the most prolific receiving corps he’s had at his disposal throughout his career with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading the charge.
