The Minnesota Vikings had quarterback Sam Darnold, but they chose to go with J. J. McCarthy instead. So, it must have stung when the journeyman QB won the Super Bowl with the Seahawks last season.

On the Sam Clemente Podcast, Darnold opened up about his understanding towards the move. 

“I totally understand the move to go with a younger quarterback on a rookie deal, and signing these veteran players that you can maybe pay a little bit more while he’s on his rookie deal, especially if you believe in him,” Darnold said. “The business side of it, I totally understand.”

In the 2024 season, Darnold led the Vikings to 14 wins. But he left in free agency as the Vikings chose to move forward with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy as their starter.  

Despite losing the starting role, Darnold praised McCarthy and what he brings to the team. 

“I think JJ is a good player and he is a really good player in this league. I truly believe that. For them to see the business part of it, it was okay, like, I totally understand it,” Darnold added. 

Though Darnold’s tenure with the Vikings was for just one season. He has proved and was named as the team’s starter after McCarthy suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the entire season.

Darnold helped the team make the playoffs, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams in a wild-card showdown.

After that move, it didn’t work out in favor of the Vikings as McCarthy missed seven games in the 2025 season, his first year as a starter.

He threw for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a 6-4 QB record. The team finished third in the NFC North with a 9-8 record, failing to make the postseason.

Super Bowl Success Followed Darnold After Vikings Exit 

After a season stint with the Vikings, Sam Darnold agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

Darnold led the Seahawks to the playoffs as they defeated the 49ers and the Rams. The team won the NFC Championship before facing the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

Following a 29-13 victory, the team lifted the Lombardi Trophy for the first time since winning Super Bowl XLVIII in the 2013 season.

Darnold finished the season with 4,048 yards and 25 TDs passing. He also became the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl from the 2018 NFL draft picks. 

While the Vikings invested in McCarthy’s future, Darnold focused on rebuilding his career in Seattle and ended up winning the Super Bowl title. Even after winning a Super Bowl, the quarterback understood Minnesota’s long-term decision.

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Written by

Evince Das

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore