TOUCH DOWN FEW MINUTES AGO: Minnesota Vikings Sam Darnold Gets Honest About How Vikings’ Season Ended…….. view more

TOUCH DOWN FEW MINUTES AGO: Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold Gets Honest About How Season Ended

After a breakout 2024 campaign—leading the Vikings to a 14–3 regular-season record, earning a Pro Bowl nod, and throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs—Sam Darnold saw it unravel in the final two games The Vikings’ dream finish turned into back-to-back blowout losses: a 31–9 defeat by Detroit in Week 18 that cost them the top seed, and a 27–9 wild-card loss to the Rams that extinguished any playoff hopes .

Final Week Failures & Playoff Breakdown

• Week 18 vs. Lions: A subpar performance (18/41 for 166 yards, no TDs) handed the Lions the NFC’s top seed and forced Minnesota on the road
• Wild-card vs. Rams: Darnold was sacked nine times, matched an NFL postseason record, and lost a fumble returned for a TD. He finished 25/40 for 245 yards, with one TD and one interception

After the Rams game, Darnold didn’t shy away from accountability:

“I clearly haven’t played good enough the last couple of weeks… left too many throws out there that I would usually make. Gotta take better care of the football.”

He later added:

“At the end of the day… I’m just focused on today and what I could have done better.”

Despite the pressure, Darnold emphasized the broader context of his career resurgence:

• He led Minnesota to 14 wins in his first year with a new team—a first in NFL history
• Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell reminded reporters that Darnold’s body of work throughout the season was exceptional, even if the finish was disappointing

Reflection & Learning

In his introductory press conference with the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold referenced the late-season struggles as important teachable moments:

“I think being able to get the ball out a little bit quicker… just throwing it at his feet… I feel like I was taking some unnecessary sacks last year… I’ll definitely be thinking about that… keeping two hands on the ball in the pocket at all times.”

His frankness illustrated a quarterback who knows both his strengths and where he can still improve under pressure.

What Darnold’s Future Holds

As a free agent, Darnold enters a critical crossroads. Teams may weigh:

• His stellar regular-season bounce-back and leadership.
• But also serious concern about his late-season fade under pressure, a nine-sack playoff outing, and key turnovers

He’s drawn interest (like from Seattle), but final contract terms remain uncertain—some suggest the playoff meltdown may have cost him millions .

 Takeaway

Sam Darnold’s 2024 story is one of redemption—and realism. He revived his career in Minnesota, leading a 14-win season, then watched it all slip away in a brutal two-game finale. Yet rather than dodge blame, he owned it and now wants to turn it into growth.

If he learns those lessons and refines his fundamentals—especially quicker reads and better pocket movement—Darnold could cement himself as a reliable starter. If not, his late-game collapse might define his next contract.

Either way, his honesty suggests a QB determined to evolve—not just revel in past highs.