Sam Darnold currently stands as one of the frontrunners to be named the 2024 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but it remains to be seen if the Vikings quarterback meets AP's requirements

Arguably the biggest surprise of the 2024-25 season has been the emergence of Sam Darnold, and we expect the former top prospect to play a big part in Week 18's primetime finale.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is one of the favorites to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year this season. He was the exact type of player the AP was trying to prevent winning the award when it released updated guidelines in June after Joe Flacco won it last year.

Two small investments in quarterbacks and a big one in a running back topped the list of the best NFL free-agent signings in 2024.

Having significantly increased his value across the NFL this season, Sam Darnold's future with the Minnesota Vikings will be one of the key questions

If he wasn’t quarterbacking a division rival, Lions quarterback Jared Goff might be among Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold’s biggest fans. Darnold, cast off by the Jets, Panthers and 49ers, is at last looking like the top three NFL Draft pick he is in his seventh NFL season.

In Green Bay, both Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love sat for three years. In both of those situations, there was plenty of dysfunction created by the incumbent quarterback. For the Vikings, O’Connell’s influence seems to have created a supportive environment that will properly prepare McCarthy for his shot.

The Minnesota Vikings now have more incentive than ever to franchise tag QB Sam Darnold and keep J.J. McCarthy behind him in 2025.

Darnold signed a one-year deal worth $10 million to join the Vikings ahead of this season. Last week, Spotrac projected his worth at $35.4 million annually over a new four-year deal.

Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract as a place holder for first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy and is now in line for a megadeal with the Vikings or someone else. On Thursday, he was named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster after throwing 35 touchdown passes for a 14-2 team.

Sam Darnold’s Comeback Player of the Year hopes stay alive as AP confirms ballots won’t be rejected, despite debates over eligibility rules.