PFF calls Sam Darnold signing the Vikings’ best offseason move

The much-maligned Sam Darnold was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, at least for a while, when Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta early in the free agency process. After struggling through spells in New York and Carolina, Darnold was taken by the New York Jets at #3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. However, he hasn’t lived up to his draft status.

Pro Football Focus claims that signing Darnold was the best offseason decision the Vikings have made, and they believe the team made a rather wise move in doing so.

The Vikings made some big splashes by re-signing Justin Jefferson and drafting J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner, but the Sam Darnold addition is the one that could have a big payout.

Darnold will not be the franchise quarterback, but signing him for 2024 gives the Vikings flexibility to not rush McCarthy into action while the team remains competitive. For the flexibility and patience he allows Minnesota to have with McCarthy, Darnold was worth the $10 million this year.

I felt the quote was quite important, so I bolded and emphasized it.

Darnold is gifted. After all, if you don’t earn the #3 overall pick in the NFL Draft, what good is it? Even though he is still only 27 years old, the group of skill position players he has played with since moving to Minnesota is the greatest he has ever had. This club will have a chance to win football games because this offense can score some points, especially if the defense plays more like it did in the middle of the season and less like it did at the finish.
I understand that there may not be high expectations for Sam Darnold among the Really Smart Football PeopleTM. They also presumably didn’t have high hopes for Case Keenum after Sam Bradford’s injury a few years prior. To be honest, nobody did. However, Keenum performed well because, similar to Darnold, he was placed in an advantageous position and surrounded by a wealth of ability at the skill positions.

While I’m not claiming that Sam Darnold will lead the Vikings to the NFL Championship Game in 2024 or anything, I also don’t believe that he will position the team in the top 5 pick position in the 2025 NFL Draft or anything similar.

People, what do you believe was the best offseason move made by the Vikings?