Sam Darnold Gets Gut-Wrenching News After Vikings' Playoff Fumble

Now, however, Darnold's future is in question. That is primarily because he signed just a one-year contract in Minnesota and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in last year's draft, is waiting in the wings. 

There is still a good chance Darnold returns to the Vikings next year, either on an extension of via the franchise tag. However, if he does sign a new deal, it's almost certainly going to be for less money than projections indicated just two weeks ago. 

"Darnold was set to be a coveted free agent QB in 2025 with a limited veteran market for starters. His final two games will surely affect his market value," Vinny Iyer of Sporting News wrote on Monday. "When going through a contract projections for Darnold in October, he was looking at around $31 million plus in average annual salary with well more than $50 million guaranteed on either a three- or four-year deal. Now, it depends on desperation and demand for Darnold."

Spotrac had Darnold's value projected at just shy of $35 million annually on a new four-year contract for much of this season, before that figure jumped up to around $55 million per season in late December. 

The website hasn't adjusted Darnold's market value to reflect his final two performances yet, but the quarterback is certain to have cost himself tens of millions over the next five years.  

That said, Darnold will still be a sought after commodity if the Vikings don't extend him before he hits free agency in March. 

He is arguably the most attractive QB available this offseason by any avenue -- free agency, draft or trade -- and is likely to see a huge pay increase regardless after putting up more than 4,300 passing yards and 35 touchdowns this season.