A couple of other quarterbacks fit that pattern, and the Twins, Lynx, Gophers and North Stars all have made boom-and-bust hires.

The Vikings general manager told reporters Thursday that Darnold is among the “good options” the Vikings have at quarterback while adding that J.J. McCarthy has returned to on-field training.

We previously covered NFL Network's Tom Pelissero saying on KFAN radio that the "smart money" is still on Sam Darnold returning to Minnesota. FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz sees it differently. "I would say most likely,

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?

Signed by the Vikings in March on a one-year, $10 million deal, Darnold — starting over injured rookie J.J. McCarthy, who underwent surgery for his meniscus during preseason — helped lead Minnesota to a 14-3 regular season record that boasted a nine-game win streak.

After his best season as a pro, Darnold was off his game for a second straight week. How will it impact Minnesota's offseason plans?

Sam Darnold could be the most intriguing story of NFL free agency. Where might the Vikings QB land after a breakout season?

The best way for Darnold to obtain stability and build a legacy in Minnesota immediately is to have playoff success. If Darnold has an uneven playoff performance and it coincides with a Vikings early exit, it’s fair to presume he’ll venture on a new journey this offseason.

The Minnesota Vikings brain trust of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell have the biggest choice an NFL team grapples with when building out the roster: what should they do with their starting quarterback position?

On Monday night, the Rams provided a welcomed, albeit temporary escape for their fans who are dealing with the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Led by a dominant defensive effort, the Rams took a 24-3 halftime lead en route to a 27-9 win over the Vikings in the NFC wild-card round.

Vikings QB Sam Darnold was on his way to a big payday this offseason. But two bad games may have cost him his job — and millions.