Sam Darnold piled up stats this season, charmed the fanbase and probably earned himself a nice payday in the process. But will he get it from the Vikings?

The Minnesota Vikings have many difficult questions to answer this offseason before they prepare for the 2025 season. One that no one wants to think about is, “Will Sam Darnold be back in

Arsenal's Mikel Arteta hailed his side's 2-1 comeback win against north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday as proof his side remains firmly in the Premier League title race, although he rued their failure to kill the game off despite ample opportunity.

Things then quickly turn for Darnold, as he had a rough game in a Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions that cost the Vikings the No. 1 seed in the NFC and then he threw up another stinker against the Los Angeles Rams in a 27-9 wild-card loss on Monday night.

Signed by the Vikings in March on a one-year, $10 million deal, Darnold — starting over injured rookie J.J. McCarthy, who underwent surgery for his meniscus during preseason — helped lead Minnesota to a 14-3 regular season record that boasted a nine-game win streak.

The best way for Darnold to obtain stability and build a legacy in Minnesota immediately is to have playoff success. If Darnold has an uneven playoff performance and it coincides with a Vikings early exit, it’s fair to presume he’ll venture on a new journey this offseason.

Sam Darnold could be the most intriguing story of NFL free agency. Where might the Vikings QB land after a breakout season?

The loss of a still-capable bridge/back-up quarterback could be mitigated by the presence of Daniel Jones. The 27-year-old joined the Vikings mid-season on a short-term deal after being released by the New York Giants.