After losing franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins a few hours into the legal tampering period, the Vikings appear to have found their replacement in the short term.

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Vikings have agree to a 1-year, $10 million deal with journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold. He will presumably serve as the future from the present to the future with the Vikings likely still in the market for a rookie quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.

There is a connection between Darnold, 26, and new  quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. They were teammates with the New York Jets and that preexisting relationship could help Darnold acclimate to his new role in the Twin Cities sooner rather than later.

It’s been a slow start to Darnold’s career after being selected with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s struggled to find his lace in the league, playing 38 games for the Jets, then being traded to the Carolina Panthers during the middle of the pandemic. He went on to play 18 games for the Panthers before signing with the San Francisco 49ers and spending last season as a backup.

He’s completed 1,082 of 1,811 passes for 12,064 yards and 63 touchdowns in his career. In a total of 56 starts, Darnold has an 21-35 record. Though his stats might not jump off the page, Darnold has much more experience than veteran quarterback Nick Mullens, who could be a candidate to be released, and rookie quarterback Jaren Hall.

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