Wes Phillips: Sam Darnold no longer has to worry about his future after proving he can play

Sam Darnold signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal to be a backup with the 49ers before the 2023 season. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal to be a bridge quarterback with the Vikings this offseason.

After proving he is a starting NFL quarterback, Darnold’s price tag has gone way up.

Darnold’s future beyond this season is unclear with first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy spending his rookie season on injured reserve as the heir apparent for the Vikings, and Darnold having solidified himself as a top free agent for 2025.

“I would hope he would kind of say, ‘Hey, the body of work that I’ve put in so far is going to take care of the future. Really, all I need to worry about is right now,'” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Tuesday, via video from the team. “I think we all know that Sam is going to be a sought-after type of guy from wherever that may be. Whatever his future ends up being, I know all of us in this building are going to be happy for him, no matter where that ends up being. I don’t think he has to worry about that anymore.

“The worry might’ve been, ‘OK, this might be my opportunity to play.’ He’s past all that. He’s proven the doubters, and he’s proven that he can play in this league. Let’s just make this the best possible season we can have.”

Darnold, 27, has changed the narrative on a career that has taken him from the third overall pick of the Jets to Carolina to San Francisco to Minnesota with an MVP-type resume. He has throw for 3,299 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

And Darnold’s story from this season remains unwritten.

“Sam has really taken heed to all the cliches: Be where your feet are planted; be in the moment; let’s go 1-0 this week; let’s worry about this game plan,” Phillips said. “Whether there’s been praise — which there has been a lot for him this year — he hasn’t let that affect him, and when games don’t go necessarily we want to or he wants to, he hasn’t let that affect him either. He’s been consistent in his demeanor, in his approach, in his work ethic, and that’s where we want to be. The most important game is the next one, and for this week, it’s Chicago.”

Darnold isn’t only playing for this season, though. He’s also playing for a big pay day next season.

His expected contract will continue to grow with the wins and touchdown passes, and depending on how the Vikings do in the postseason, Darnold may leave his current team with no choice but to pay him.