Vikings to sign QB Sam Darnold

Kwesi burning the midnight oil

The Minnesota Vikings continue their fast and furious push in the opening day and night of the legal tampering period by working out a deal to sign QB Sam Darnold.

It’s a one-year deal with Darnold worth up to $10 million. Darnold had previously been reported to be considering offers from the Vikings and Broncos, but ultimately chose the Vikings.

Darnold will presumably compete for a starting job with a rookie quarterback the Vikings may draft next month. Darnold’s signing probably makes Nick Mullens and his $2.2 million salary cap hit expendable. Releasing Mullens would save $1.855 million in salary cap space.

Darnold is a former #3 overall pick from the 2018 draft that didn’t work out for the Jets after three seasons and was released. He’s since spent a couple seasons with Carolina and most recently last year with the 49ers. But with a career 78.3 passer rating and 72.5% adjusted completion percentage, both of which would be at or near the bottom of the league among starting quarterbacks last season, Darnold shouldn’t be considered as more than a backup.

He’s also had a turnover problem (both interceptions and fumbles) that has followed him wherever he’s gone, with 39 fumbles and 56 interceptions in 66 game appearances (56 starts).

The Vikings will give Darnold a shot to turn things around and show what he can do during the off-season and training camp, but beyond that what his status with the Vikings will be is unclear.