Aaron Rodgers’s contract is worth ten times more than Sam Darnold’s deal.
Patrick Mahomes‘ NFL-record $450 million contract can barely be compared to Darnold’s meagre one-year commitment from Minnesota.
GettyDarnold had an off day but picked up the win in London[/caption]
The veteran quarterback signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings, and Darnold entered training camp as the expected back up.
But a season-ending injury to first-round pick J.J. McCarthy changed everything for the Vikings, as Darnold received the starting ball and Minnesota unexpectedly began the 2024 season as one of the league’s hottest teams.
On Sunday in London, Darnold again proved that $562 million doesn’t guarantee anything in the NFL.
That’s the combined value of the contracts for Rodgers and Mahomes.
While no one doubts that Mahomes is a future Hall of Famer — he already has three Super Bowl rings and two NFL MVPs — Rodgers is approaching a $112 million bust for the Jets.
New York fell to 2-3 on Sunday with a 23-17 defeat to the Vikings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Darnold only completed 14-of-31 passes for 179 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a 50.3 rating, leaving some Jets fans on social media to joke that the former New York QB was ‘seeing ghosts.’
But he also led the Vikings to a 17-0 lead, and walked off the field as the only 5-0 QB in the NFL.
As Rodgers continued his late career slide, Darnold again looked like the biggest bargain in the NFL.
Making the Jets look even worse, Darnold was the No.3 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft by Rodgers’ current team.
GettyRodgers was banged up on Sunday and threw three interceptions[/caption]
GettyMahomes makes $440 million more than Darnold[/caption]
“Having that confidence in myself to be able to let it rip whenever I see something,” said Darnold, following his latest win.
After bouncing from New York to Carolina and San Francisco, Darnold now has the ability to be patient for the first time in his seven-year career.
Brian Flores is directing one of the most dominating defenses in the NFL.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell keeps getting the best out of his quarterbacks.
In 2024, Minnesota has only invested $10 million in Darnold — and it’s the best contract in the NFL.
He’s undefeated in purple.
He just beat Rodgers in London, on a day when the Jets’ $112 million threw three picks and killed a potential game-winning drive.
“I’m definitely banged up,” the 40-year-old Rodgers said.
“Got my foot caught on a pile there. But just seems to be a low ankle sprain.
“Again, they were trying to get me in the tent, and then we had a roughing the kicker, I said ‘Screw it, I’m going back out there.’ “
Darnold statistically must be better than he was on Sunday.
But a 5-0 QB in the NFL ‘only’ making $10 million is a huge winner for any team in pro football.
Especially for the Vikings, during the same year that saw McCarthy suddenly lost for the season.
