GLENDALE, Ariz. — The look on Zygi Wilf’s face said it all. It was as if the Minnesota Vikings owner and chairman had just watched a horror movie with a gutting ending. He exited the locker room, stood for a few seconds and stared blankly at the crowd of people in front of him. His son, Jonathan, pointed him toward a long hallway. And off he went slowly into another offseason.
How Did This End So Abruptly?
The Vikings, a 14-win team, had oscillated so quickly from being a potential No. 1 seed to losing in the wild-card round. Wilf’s mind turned with questions such as these.
What Happened to Quarterback Sam Darnold?
Two weeks ago, Darnold’s teammates were dousing him with water bottles as part of a locker-room celebration following a win at U.S. Bank Stadium. Now, here they were Monday night at State Farm Stadium, zipping up their suitcases and heading for the buses after a brutal 27-9 loss to the underdog Los Angeles Rams.
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The dichotomy between the two scenes was as stark as it was disorienting. In the first snapshot, the 27-year-old Darnold seemed to have completed a career transformation and galvanized an organization in the process. In the second, it felt fair to wonder how much of Darnold’s impressive play this season was a mirage.
"I think it’s very important we all think about Sam’s body of work," Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said postgame. "It did not work out in the end, and I think Sam would be the first one to tell you (he could have played better)."
The Offense’s Struggle
The Rams sacked Darnold nine times, tying an NFL playoff record. Furthermore, 12 Rams defenders generated at least one pressure, according to Next Gen Stats, their most in a game since Week 6 in 2021.
Allocating Cap Space and Draft Capital
O’Connell suggested as much Monday night. Still, that concern pales in comparison to the importance of what happens at quarterback — and what that means for everything else — which is why Darnold’s drop-off over the last two weeks is so jarring.
What’s Next for Sam Darnold?
After playing well enough over the first 16 games to lead the Vikings to a 14-2 record and legitimately be in the conversation for NFL MVP, Darnold struggled mightily in the regular-season finale, a 31-9 loss in Detroit. Against the Lions, he completed just 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards, posting his third-worst passer rating (55.5) and his highest bad-throw percentage of the season (34.2).
Conclusion
The 2024 Vikings season, billed as a transition year toward a more flexible future around rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, had exceeded even the rosiest expectations. But the abrupt end to Darnold’s season raises questions about his future with the team.
FAQs
Q: What happened to Sam Darnold?
A: Darnold struggled in the final two games of the season, completing just 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Q: What are the Vikings’ plans for Darnold?
A: The team’s future plans for Darnold are unclear, but it’s possible they may move on from him and focus on developing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Q: Why did the Vikings’ offense struggle against the Rams?
A: The Rams’ defense was able to sack Darnold nine times, tying an NFL playoff record, and generate at least one pressure from 12 defenders. This disrupted Darnold’s ability to throw accurately and created opportunities for the Rams’ defense to make plays.