Star quarterback Sam Darnold looked back fondly on his first season with the Vikings - but head coach Kevin O'Connell appeared to hint that his time in Minnesota may soon come to an end

The Minnesota Vikings can probably bring Sam Darnold back to the team, though only if he is willing to take a little less than market value.

Sam Darnold was supposed to be a one-year bridge to J.J. McCarthy, who would have had a chance to earn the starting job during the season. But then McCarthy hurt his knee, Minnesota sidelined him for his rookie campaign and Darnold went on to throw for more than 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns.

A reader asked RandBall for clarification on quarterback Sam Darnold and what it would mean for the Vikings to put the franchise tag on him. Trying to explain how it works reinforces how strange it really is.

Sam Darnold piled up stats this season, charmed the fanbase and probably earned himself a nice payday in the process. But will he get it from the Vikings?

The NFL and Associated Press unveiled the finalists for year-end awards on Thursday, and among them are Kevin O'Connell for Coach of the Year, Brian Flores for Assistant Coach of the Year and Sam Darnold for Comeback Player of the Year.

Should the Vikings pay Darnold after his (mostly) excellent season? Or should they go with McCarthy and spend that money at other positions?

O'Connell, 39, lands a contract extension after guiding Vikings to 14-3 record with Sam Darnold at quarterback.

The quarterback position was central to the conversation at the end of season press conferences that the Vikings held on Thursday.

Kevin O'Connell talked about his future with the Vikings wrapping up the 2024 season with reporters on Thursday at TCO Performance Center.

The end of the Minnesota Vikings' season led to some big questions in the offseason. Among them, is Sam Darnold part of the Vikings' plans? Where does 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy fit into them?