The time to make a decision on how they'll handle their quarterback position is fast approaching. Whether Minnesota will bring back Sam Darnold or venture forth into the J.J. McCarthy era is the question that looms over everything else on the organization's to-do list this offseason.

His preseason torn meniscus scuttled those plans and Darnold went on to have a great and surprising year. There are no guarantees that Darnold would be able to repeat his success in 2025, and if the Vikings were to bring him back, his $10 million salary would likely rise to the $35-40 million level.

The Minnesota Vikings shocked the league in 2024. After entering the season with veteran quarterback Sam Darnold as the stopgap starter, Minnesota wasn’t expected to be a playoff contender. Although the Vikings finished the season on a sour note after sputtering in their last two games,