MINNESOTA Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has dropped a huge hint on Sam Darnold’s future.
The quarterback, 27, joined the Vikings ahead of the season, penning a one-year, $10 million contract.
GettyKevin O’Connell had his say on Sam Darnold after Monday night’s loss[/caption]Darnold has been tipped to potentially land a $40m per year deal in free agency.
But following his disappointing recent performances, his value around the NFL may have taken a hit.
The Vikings were beaten 27-9 by the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round earlier this week.
After the game O’Connell, 39, gave his verdict on Darnold.
“I just want to say it’s very important we all think about Sam’s body of work, what he was able to do this year, when not many people thought he would be able to lead a team to 14 wins,” he began.
“It did not work out in the end, and I think Sam would be the first one to tell you, could he have played better [last night]? I’m sure he would tell you he could have.
“Could I have coached better? I’m positive I could have.”
Darnold likely would have been benched for J.J. McCarthy during the season, had the rookie not suffered a meniscus tear.
Speaking immediately after Monday night’s loss, O’Connell sounded as if the Vikings’ journey with Darnold was coming to a close.
“A winning quarterback this year, the consistency, the times he had this year and what it meant for our team,” O’Connell said of his QB.
“I think that can stay with him moving forward as he goes back to work.
“I’m proud of him, I’m proud of everybody in that locker room, but Sam, the journey he and I went on this year, will always have a special place in my heart for sure.”
ESPN announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman discussed Darnold’s value during Monday night’s broadcast.
“That [quarterback] conversation’s a different conversation today than it was two weeks ago,” Aikman said.
‘HE’S AT LEAST COST HIMSELF SOME MONEY’
“Not to be simplistic,” Buck added. “But the way the Vikings have played, and Sam Darnold has played over the last couple of weeks, he’s at least cost himself some money.”
Aikman, 58, delved deeper after the game, continuing, “I know they really like J.J. McCarthy, he’ll be back, he’ll be healthy. What that looks like for Sam, he’s had a great year, there’s no denying that.
“He did a lot of good things for this organization, obviously a big part, quarterback always is, won 14 games, played at a really high level.
“Last week and this week, gonna leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth going into this offseason.
“Big impact. These last two weeks will have a big impact on his future. Not only what that may look like for the Minnesota Vikings, but a big impact on what that may look like for him going to another team.
“Is there going to be a big payout? That looked inevitable a few weeks ago. It may not be quite as big as what Sam or others thought.
“These are the games that matter. He knows that, every quarterback in this league knows that. When you get into these games, that’s what you’re judged on.
“It’s not all on him, there were a lot of people who contributed, but the quarterback is expected to overcome those things.
“It’s a tough way to finish. It doesn’t really matter if you win 14 games. Not getting to the Super Bowl, only two teams get to do that, but not to win a playoff game, you’re lumped in with all the teams that didn’t make the postseason.”
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