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Former Vikings Quarterback Matches Tom Brady’s Record
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- Former Vikings Quarterback Matches Tom Brady’s Record
Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Last season the Minnesota Vikings pulled off a 14-win season after Sam Darnold stepped in as the veteran starter. It wasn't necessarily the intention after drafting J.J. McCarthy 10th overall , but Kevin O'Connell got the best out of the former 3rd overall pick .
Rather than run it back with Darnold, the MN Vikings let him grab a payday on the open market . They tried to throw a hefty one-year contract at him, but the Seattle Seahawks broke the bank.
Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
Now with the regular season done for Darnold, he's captured the top seed in the NFC and was able to accomplish a feat he came short of a season ago. In doing so, he joined the ranks of Tom Brady 's rarefied air.
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Sam Darnold accomplishes what he couldn't with MN Vikings
Plenty of the consternation surrounding any desire to re-sign Sam Darnold was his final two games in a Minnesota Vikings uniform. With the top seed on the line, Darnold went just 18-of-41 for 166 yards and no touchdowns against the Detroit Lions . The loss dropped the Vikings to the two seed and gave Minnesota a 14-3 record.
This time around Darnold was in the same situation and helped the Seahawks best the San Francisco 49ers , pushing Seattle to a 14-3 record and capturing the NFC's top seed. Two consecutive years wit that win total is something only the GOAT, Tom Brady, has accomplished.
Sam Darnold writing himself into the history books next to the GOAT 👀 pic.twitter.com/gaoxlTkOLR
— NFL (@NFL) January 4, 2026
You'd be hard-pressed to find someone willing to suggest that Darnold has looked anything like Brady at any point of his career. There's no reason to take away any chance to match the GOAT though. If Darnold really wants to complete things full circle, he'll win a Super Bowl as Brady did in 2004 after ripping off his second-consecutive 14-win season.
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That said, he absolutely has gotten the job done. Last season Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns with Minnesota. He completed 66.2% of his passes. This season he finished with 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns with a 67.7% completion rate.
JSN 63-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
SEAvsTEN on FOX/FOX One https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/wtqsQxa5rk— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025
There's no reason to believe that Darnold will join Tom Brady in the Hall of Fame someday, or that he's going to rack up individual accolades. However, his first season in Seattle has already been a very successful one, and going on a Super Bowl run would only further pour salt into the Minnesota Vikings wounds.
MN Vikings will watch Darnold's run from afar
Now missing the playoffs , the Minnesota Vikings can sit back and observe their former starter's run through the NFC playoffs. The Seattle Seahawks get a first round bye thanks to their top seed.
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Darnold has already faced multiple potential playoff opponents this season. The Seahawks three losses came against the 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers , and Los Angeles Rams . There's definitely an opportunity for revenge in multiple spots there.
Meanwhile the Minnesota Vikings are focused on avoiding the same self-inflicted quarterback problems they suffered this season. Those involved might get one more try to right the wrong, but the leash is running out.
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