The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for the possibility of parting ways with quarterback Sam Darnold, should he depart in free agency. If that happens, the team will look to replace him with a seasoned veteran—none other than Super Bowl contender Jimmy Garoppolo.
Darnold, whose stock has risen considerably, is expected to command a hefty price tag in the open market, with reports indicating a potential $40 million annual salary. While it’s far from a certainty that Darnold will leave, the Vikings may not be willing to match such a deal as they focus on addressing other key positions. ESPN’s Ben Solak noted that should Darnold’s market price reach those numbers, Minnesota would likely get priced out of the competition.
If the Vikings lose Darnold, they could look to backup options like Daniel Jones, who was recently released from the New York Giants and has shown interest in the Vikings. However, with a slim free-agent quarterback market expected, Jones may be able to secure a starting role elsewhere, making him less likely to sign as a backup in Minnesota.
As a result, the Vikings are eyeing experienced quarterbacks to potentially take the reins behind young star J.J. McCarthy, who could lead the team into a playoff-caliber offense. One prime candidate to step in? Jimmy Garoppolo.
Garoppolo, who famously led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl following the 2019 season, would offer the Vikings both veteran leadership and a steady presence on the field. At 33 years old, Garoppolo may not have the same explosive qualities as Darnold, but he brings a wealth of experience, including 11 years in the NFL and an impressive 43-21 regular-season record.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports speculates that Garoppolo could come at a much lower cost than Darnold, offering the Vikings a cost-effective option while McCarthy continues to develop. With 96 touchdowns and 52 interceptions under his belt, Garoppolo’s playoff pedigree (5-2 postseason record) would also bring invaluable experience to Minnesota’s quarterback room.
While McCarthy remains the long-term future at quarterback, Garoppolo could bridge the gap and provide the Vikings with the necessary stability they need to remain competitive in 2025.
Stay tuned for further developments as free agency approaches, and the Vikings look to build their quarterback depth chart for the future.
