So, picture this: the Vikings had a storybook season. Fourteen wins. FOURTEEN! Nobody, not even the most optimistic fan with a face painted purple, saw that coming. And leading the charge? Sam Darnold, the quarterback everyone had written off so many times you’d think his name was on a clearance rack.
But then… the last two games happened. You know, the kind of games you wish you could Ctrl+Z out of existence.
Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings’ head coach, wasn’t shy about addressing it after their wild-card loss to the Rams. Standing there, probably still hearing the roar of disappointed fans in his ears, O’Connell said what we were all thinking: “Too many negatives.” Which, honestly, might be the gentlest way to summarize the last two weeks.
Here’s the thing, though—O’Connell didn’t throw Darnold completely under the bus. If anything, he kind of gave him a hug before gently setting him down on the curb. “Sam’s body of work this year… it’s special,” O’Connell said. And honestly, he’s not wrong. For most of the season, Darnold played lights out. Like, who-is-this-guy-and-what-did-he-do-with-the-real-Sam-Darnold good.
But when it counted most—Week 18 against the Lions and this playoff game against the Rams—the wheels came off. And not in a slow, oh-we’ll-get-this-fixed kind of way. More like an, oh-no-the-wheels-are-on-fire-and-we’re-heading-into-a-ditch situation.
“Could He Have Played Better? Absolutely.”
O’Connell didn’t mince words about it. He acknowledged that Darnold struggled. A lot. The Vikings got blown out by the Lions, 31-9, to end the regular season. Then came the Rams game, where they barely scraped together nine points again. Nine points. That’s like ordering a full-course meal and getting a plate of plain rice. Underwhelming doesn’t even begin to cover it.
“Could he have played better tonight? I’m sure he would tell you he could have,” O’Connell admitted. And that’s the thing about Sam. For all the criticism, he owns up to his mistakes. But it wasn’t all on him, O’Connell stressed. The offense as a whole just crumbled under pressure. Negative plays, poor execution—you name it, they did it.
A Bitter End to a Sweet Season
For most of 2025 (yes, I know, we’re not even two weeks into January, but football operates in its own time warp), Sam Darnold was the guy. He didn’t just lead; he inspired. The kind of guy who makes you believe in second chances. But in the biggest moments? The magic faded. “Far too many negatives,” O’Connell said. “Really, over the last two weeks, too many negative plays that set you behind.”
It wasn’t just bad luck. It was like a symphony of missteps. Missed blocks. Overthrows. Miscommunications. At one point, it felt like the Rams’ defense was renting space in Darnold’s head. And the Vikings’ O-line? Well, let’s just say they weren’t exactly doing him favors.
What’s Next for the Vikings?
Here’s where it gets spicy. Darnold is set to become a free agent. And lurking in the shadows like a plot twist from a Netflix drama is J.J. McCarthy, the first-round quarterback who’s been sidelined with an injury. He’ll be healthy soon, and you have to wonder: Is this the end of the road for Sam in Minnesota?
O’Connell didn’t give any hints about what’s next. But he did say he’s proud of the team. And honestly, he should be. Fourteen wins in a season where expectations were lower than a limbo stick? That’s impressive. “This team did a lot of special things this year,” he said, though you could tell the sting of the loss was still fresh.
At the end of the day, it’s a tough pill to swallow. Darnold had a career year, but when it mattered most, he came up short. O’Connell said it best: “Very tough feeling in that locker room right now.” It’s one of those moments where you want to look back on the good, but the bad is just too loud.
And now, the Vikings face an offseason full of big decisions. Do they roll the dice on Darnold again? Or is it McCarthy’s time to shine? One thing’s for sure: Vikings fans will be watching every move, popcorn in hand, ready for whatever wild ride comes next.
P.S. I still can’t believe they managed only nine points in two games. NINE. Is it bad that I kind of want to forget this season even happened?
P.P.S. If you’re reading this, Sam—no hard feelings, man. But maybe stay off Twitter for a bit. Just a thought.