The Minnesota Vikings have shocked the football world this season by starting 11-2 despite having a journeyman/bridge quarterback in Sam Darnold under center.
Darnold was brought in on a one-year deal this offseason to serve as a bridge to rookie J.J. McCarthy, but McCarthy’s preseason knee injury solidified that Darnold would get a full year as the starter to prove himself, and he has exceeded everybody’s expectations.
Darnold has been so good that it has muddied the future for this franchise, but Colin Cowherd believes he has the answer for what the Vikings should do with him going forward.
On a recent episode of “The Herd,” Cowherd said about Darnold, “He’s entered the MVP conversation…you’re going to let him walk out of the building? I think you have to consider franchise tagging him.”
.@ColinCowherd on what the Vikings do with Sam Darnold:
"He's entered the MVP conversation… You're going to let him walk out of the building? I think you have to consider franchise tagging him." pic.twitter.com/iFcsZxVPY9
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 9, 2024
The plan for Darnold to be a one-year bridge to McCarthy has been discarded now that McCarthy has had two knee surgeries.
Darnold has led the team to an 11-2 start by throwing 28 touchdowns to just ten interceptions.
McCarthy is still just 21 years old, and franchise-tagging Darnold seems like a viable option at this point since McCarthy’s rookie year has been a complete wash.
There is no need to rush to hand the keys to McCarthy, especially after two knee surgeries, so keeping Darnold for at least another year should certainly be entertained in the offseason.
A lot will depend on how the Vikings finish the season and how the playoffs unfold, but it has been an interesting development.
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