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The 8 Days That Cost A Quarterback a Fortune
The Wall Street Journal|January 15, 2025
Sam Darnold was headed toward a big-money contract in free agency until his breakout season imploded in spectacular fashion
- By ANDREW BEATON
The 8 Days That Cost A Quarterback a Fortune

Barely a week ago, quarterback Sam Darnold was set to cash in on a jackpot. After a career that had swung from prized draft selection to journeyman veteran, Darnold had finally made good on his potential with the Minnesota Vikings. He made his first Pro Bowl and led the Vikings to a 14-2 record. Heading into the final week of the regular season, they were one win away from earning the No. 1 seed in the NFC-and Darnold was a key reason why. With Darnold set to become a free agent at the end of the season, his financial upside was enormous. Then, he proceeded to finish the year with two absolute trainwrecks.

The second of those ended the Vikings season on Monday night, when they lost 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams in a wild-card game that was even more of a disaster than the final score indicates. The game quickly spiraled out of hand as Darnold missed open receivers, coughed up a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and got sacked nine times, tying a playoff record.

For Minnesota, the disappointing end to the campaign figures to send the team back to the drawing board at the game's most important position. The Vikings drafted former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the first round last April to be their long-term answer under center, before Darnold muddied that picture with his stellar play through the first three months of the season.

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