Minnesota Vikings fans weren’t the only ones upset with the play of quarterback Sam Darnold.
Darnold was sacked nine times in the Vikings’ season-ending loss to the Rams on Monday night. Six of those came in the first half.
All of those sacks resulted in an NFL playoff-record 82 yards lost, a scoop-and-score defensive touchdown, and a turnover on downs. It was a terrible way for the 14-3 team to end their season.
The multiple sacks of Sam Darnold also caused longtime KFAN radio play-by-play broadcaster Paul Allen to nearly lose his mind while calling the game.
“He’s holding it too long! Throw it, man!” Allen yelled after the Rams sacked Darnold for the fifth time in the first half.
TRENDING: The Minnesota #Vikings radio booth went crazy on Sam Darnold last night during the game.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 15, 2025
“HE’S HOLDING IT TOO LONG! THROW IT MAN!”
Another iconic Paul Allen crash out.
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What’s Next For Sam Darnold?
Timing can be everything regarding new contracts in sports, and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold picked a terrible time to play his worst football of the season.
Darnold is going to get paid, it’s just a matter of how much.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler admitted his final two games “don’t help” but also said teams have “forecasted him in Geno Smith/Baker Mayfield weight class of contracts.”
Mayfield has the 18th-highest average annual value among quarterbacks at $33.3 million, while Smith is 19th at $25 million.
Darnold surpassed all realistic expectations with Minnesota as a Pro Bowler who led the team to a 14-3 record and playoff spot.
He finished the season completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
He also lost millions in the process due to his performance in the Week 18 game against the Detroit Lions and the Wild Card game against the Rams.
Also Read: Sam Darnold Gets Brutally Honest About His Embarrassing Playoff Performance vs. Rams