NFL Insider assesses Sam Darnold’s market after dismal playoff performance

Sam Darnold’s terrible late-season performance for the Minnesota Vikings this weekend may not have killed his value in free agency to the extent many believe.

Wednesday, Money launderers report NFL insider James Palmer claimed league executives don’t believe Darnold’s market has changed that much after two bad weeks of football.

“I talked to an AFC executive and an NFC executive yesterday and they told me the same thing: There are too many teams that need quarterbacks for his market to change drastically even after these two games,” Palmer said. “They both told me that the perception of its turnaround has probably been changed more than the perception of its market. And that’s because there are more teams and fewer quarterbacks.”

Palmer explained that the incoming quarterback class being perceived as weak also helps Darnold’s market, and that he is still likely to be the best free agent signal caller available.

Darnold was named to his first Pro Bowl this season after leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record. He completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, all career high marks. The 27-year-old also achieved career highs in passer rating (102.5) and QBR (60.7).

The problem comes from his last two performances of the season. Against the Lions in Week 18, Darnold went 18 of 41 for 166 yards with no touchdowns and was sacked twice in a 31–9 loss. He had similar struggles in the Lions’ 27–9 loss. Minnesota vs. Los Angeles Rams. In that game, Darnold completed 25 of 40 passes for 245 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a fumble that was returned for a touchdown while being sacked an NFL playoff record nine times.

Darnold was a great comeback story during the 2024 season, but he didn’t finish on a high note. This may not impact him in free agency like many thought.