The Minnesota Vikings entered the quarterback unknown during the 2024 offseason, swapping Kirk Cousins for Sam Darnold after six seasons of stability at the position. Signed to a one-year, $10 million contract in Minnesota,

Detroit took down the Vikings 31-9 and claimed the NFC's bye, which sent Minnesota (as a 14-win team) to Los Angeles for a wild-card game against the Rams that they lost 27-9. That winner-take-all game between the Vikings and Lions sparked plenty of debate on whether wild-card teams with better records should have to play on the road in their first playoff game.