Sam Darnold

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said Sam Darnold “earned the right to be a free agent” when asked about the possibility of re-signing him this offseason.

During a news conference that followed him winning the AP Coach of the Year award, O’Connell said the team’s goal was to win a championship while adding that Darnold “is going to be a huge part of it when we do.” When asked to clarify his comments by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert after the news conference, O’Connell said his previous comments were made “in the spirit of answering a question about Darnold’s season.” Darnold’s return to Minnesota is far from a sure thing. While KOC said the Vikings would continue to stay in touch with Darnold and his agents, he also said the team is excited about J.J. McCarthy and where he’s at in his rehab as he looks to return from a knee injury that ended his rookie campaign in the preseason.