The Minnesota Vikings face uncertainty under center without Kirk Cousins. While drafting a quarterback later this month remains on the table, Sam Darnold could begin the 2024 season as their starter.
Identifying each team’s biggest draft need, The Athletic unsurprisingly listed quarterback for the Vikings. Alec Lewis wrote that Darnold is the front-runner to play in Week 1 even if the team invests one of its first-round picks in the position.
“The Vikings are likely to ride with Sam Darnold in the early portion of the season no matter what they do in the draft,” Lewis wrote. “But the future at the position remains Minnesota’s biggest question mark. Coach Kevin O’Connell is buried in evaluation at the moment, meeting with many of the top prospects via private workouts.”
Along with their No. 11 pick, the Vikings acquired pick No. 23 from the Houston Texans last month. That gives them the flexibility to move up the draft board again to pursue a top passing prospect.
While Minnesota could the job to a true franchise quarterback, Darnold remains a possible bridge to the future.
After Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons, the Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal. The former No. 3 pick sat behind Brock Purdy for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
Darnold spent three rough seasons with the New York Jets before getting a second chance on the Carolina Panthers. The former USC star didn’t fare any better at his second stop, registering a 77.3 quarterback rating with 16 touchdowns and interceptions each in 18 games.
Darnold, who turns 27 in June, appears poised to at least compete for another starting job this summer. Playing alongside Justin Jefferson would give him a golden opportunity for a career renaissance before the Vikings find a long-term solution.