The Minnesota Vikings were rumored to have interest in bringing Sam Darnold back this offseason. Even with J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings, the Vikings had considered the option of continuing forward with Darnold following a big 2024 season.

The NFL’s free-agent negotiating window had been open for less than 2½ hours on Monday, March 11, 2024, when agent Mike McCartney sent the following message at 1:26 p.m.: "Excited for @KirkCousins8 agreeing to a 4 year deal with the @AtlantaFalcons.

It won't be long before we find out what happens with Sam Darnold. In the meantime, here are three major thoughts on the situation.