Sam Darnold Playing for Super Bowl After Leaving MN Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings used a first-round draft pick on J.J. McCarthy in 2024 with the intention of landing a franchise quarterback who could reset the position financially. Unfortunately, McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury during the preseason, forcing Sam Darnold into the starting role.

Not only did the former third overall pick take over as the Vikings’ quarterback, but he then went on to lead Minnesota to a 14–3 record. The final two games of the season didn’t go well, leaving most fans to believe that it was time to move on. Minnesota offered Darnold a sizable short-term deal, but he ultimately chose to get paid by the Seattle Seahawks.

Now, he’s one win away from a Super Bowl ring.

Minnesota Vikings Watching Darnold on the Doorstep

Facing Sean McVay, the coach Kevin O’Connell once worked under, Sam Darnold had home-field advantage in the NFC Championship on Sunday night. The Seahawks entered as the top seed in the conference, and Darnold’s performance propelled them into the Super Bowl.

NFC Championship Sam Darnold so far:

19/27
291 yards
3 TDs

LARvsSEA on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/SCO9kKfduY

— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026

Darnold followed up his Vikings breakout in 2024 by posting another 14–3 season in 2025 with Seattle. He then defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round before knocking off another rival, the Los Angeles Rams, this past weekend.

Against McVay and the Rams, Darnold delivered one of his best performances of the season. He completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards, threw three touchdowns, and committed zero turnovers. Calling it a vindicating and career-altering performance would be an understatement.

The former Vikings quarterback watched McCarthy struggle while leading his new team to the league’s biggest stage. Seattle moved on from veteran Geno Smith in favor of Darnold, and he validated that decision in emphatic fashion.

Can Sam Darnold Get a Ring?

It was always going to be an uphill battle for the Denver Broncos during championship weekend without quarterback Bo Nix. Jarrett Stidham couldn’t overcome the challenge, and poor weather conditions didn’t help. As a result, Drake Maye, who was once in the Minnesota Vikings’ crosshairs before they selected McCarthy, will face Sam Darnold in the Super Bowl.

FanDuel Sportsbook currently lists Darnold and the Seahawks as 4.5-point favorites against New England. That line will likely shift over the next two weeks, but it’s noteworthy nonetheless.

The Vikings opted against bringing Darnold back and finished the season 9–8, missing the playoffs. Meanwhile, their former 14–3 quarterback has led his new team to the Super Bowl and is favored to win it.

Maybe the Minnesota Vikings will win one before we all die, but Darnold getting the job done would finish off one heck of a storyline.