The Minnesota Vikings may have stumbled upon their franchise quarterback.
It didn’t happen as expected, but the team now faces a tough decision about his future this offseason.
Rex Ryan didn’t hold back his thoughts about the right decision that the Vikings should make with Sam Darnold.
In the latest edition of ESPN’s “Get Up,” the former head coach believes there’s no way the Vikings should let Darnold walk away.
Rex Ryan says Vikings should NOT let Sam Darnold leave the building when this season ends, despite drafting QB J.J. McCarthy in the first round ? pic.twitter.com/90ZB0R1zFb
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 23, 2024
He stated that Darnold looks like a legitimate franchise quarterback out there, so even if the GM had already drafted McCarthy, that shouldn’t matter.
Dan Orlovsky agreed, but he doesn’t think the Vikings will be able to meet his asking price since they were either unable or unwilling to do so with Kirk Cousins.
Orlovsky believes Darnold will get a very lucrative deal somewhere else, and the Vikings will just thank him for his services and roll with their first-round pick.
The Vikings have looked sharp on offense with Darnold at the helm, and you shouldn’t just let go of the player who helped you get at least 13 wins in a season.
They reportedly intended for McCarthy to take the offense’s reins at some point in the season.
However, with Darnold playing this way, it would’ve been almost impossible to bench him even if McCarthy had stayed healthy.
The Vikings have some big decisions to make this offseason, and even though some still have doubts about Darnold as a franchise player, it’s hard to disagree with the numbers and the tape: He’s earned it.
NEXT: Insider Reveals What He's Hearing About Sam Darnold's Future
