Timing can be everything when it comes to new contracts in sports, and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold picked a less-than-ideal time to revert

After a career renaissance with the Vikings, Sam Darnold is set to hit free agency. Will he take the starting reins for the Steelers or Giants? Serve as competition for Anthony Richardson on the Colts?

Vikings QB Sam Darnold was on his way to a big payday this offseason. But two bad games may have cost him his job — and millions.

The Minnesota Vikings went from a Super Bowl contending, 14-game winner playing for the NFC North title with the conference's No. 1 seed and a wild-card bye on the line -- before Week 18's 31-9 defeat by the Detroit Lions -- to an early playoff exit because of a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Darnold is on a one-year contract for $10,000,000 with the Vikings with $8,750,000 guaranteed and an additional signing bonus of $6,250,000. Although his base salary in 2024 was only $2,500,000, he earned a healthy roster bonus of $1,000,000.