Sam Darnold Reflects on Vikings Experience
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold recently shared his thoughts on his time with the Minnesota Vikings.
In interviews with Athletics, Darnold described his exit from Minnesota as “difficult to swallow.” He acknowledged both the expectations he faced and his own shortcomings during the process.
Although the Vikings had a strong regular season, they were thoroughly defeated in the playoffs, losing 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round.
“We really dropped the ball as an offense; if I’m honest, there’s not a better way to put it,” Darnold said. “I think it’s pretty terrible. We believed we were a strong team, but, I mean, it sounds a bit negative to say this, but if you don’t win it all, did you really succeed?”
“I feel like I performed better than what the results show. Honestly, I didn’t quite meet my own standards, and that’s how I feel about it.”
Darnold, who joined Minnesota on a one-year, $10 million deal in March 2024, is now expected to lead one of the weaker teams in the NFC, stepping in as a starter. This team will likely be looking to rookie first-round pick JJ McCarthy, who dealt with injuries last season.
In his last season, Darnold set personal records with 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a passer rating of 102.5, even earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
The Vikings finished with a noteworthy 14-3 record, with Darnold providing steady leadership during the regular season. However, they lost a crucial game to the Lions 31-9, which cost them the division title.
He recently signed a three-year deal with Seattle worth over $100 million.
“I truly believe his best days are still ahead of him,” remarked Cooper Kupp, a former Rams receiver and current Seahawks teammate. “His competitive spirit is impressive; he doesn’t settle for just being okay.”
Darnold reflected on last season, saying, “I learned a lot from those experiences, particularly in those two games. At the end of the day, it’s all about growing from those moments.”
