The San Francisco 49ers’ 2024 quarterback room won’t include veteran Sam Darnold. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Minnesota Vikings are signing Darnold to a one-year deal worth $10 million, a move that has been predicted for a while. The contract can become official on Wednesday, at the start of the new league year.
Darnold will try to help fill the void left by Kirk Cousins’ departure. The veteran quarterback signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, as noted by Vikings Wire.
The former first-round pick out of USC spent the 2023 season as the San Francisco 49ers’ backup to Brock Purdy. He ended up going 28-for-46 for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in 10 games played (one start).
Adding Darnold to the mix as a stopgap starter does seem to make sense. Minnesota boasts the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Vikings may have to make a trade up from No. 12 to select a elite quarterback with that pick. Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy will likely all be gone, leaving them with Bo Nix, Michal Penix Jr. or Spencer Rattler as the next tier of quarterbacks if they don’t trade up.
Vikings Wire has more on Sam Darnold.
A new QB in Minnesota: The #Vikings are expected to sign #49ers QB Sam Darnold, per me and @TomPelissero.
Darnold gets a 1-year deal worth $10M, sources say, and joins former teammate Josh McCown, who is Minnesota’s new QB coach.
Kirk Cousins out, Darnold in. pic.twitter.com/QzrZDJ1Sdq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2024
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