Sam Darnold’s future with the Minnesota Vikings is a contentious issue. In a story published on December 31, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report anticipated that Darnold will re-sign, partly because of the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback’s breakout season.
Buckley’s opinion is consistent with a December 28 story by Dianna Russini of The Athletic stating that Darnold wants to return and that the Vikings are open to his return.
“I think it’s going to be very expensive to keep him, and I don’t know – they have the 10th pick in this year’s draft on the roster. I know he got hurt, he couldn’t play. But I think – this is the best year Sam Darnold’s ever had, like easily, right?” Graziano told Mike Greenberg on “Get Up” on December 31.
“He’s 13th in QBR. [The] 13th highest-paid quarterback right now makes $45 million a year. Is that what you’re paying for Sam Darnold – or more? You want to pay him $50 [million] a year? You have a guy on your roster, who has to be your starter at some point soon.”
Graziano believes that Darnold will ultimately find a team willing to pay him more in free agency than the Vikings.
