Once thought of as a quarterback without a clear path, Sam Darnold seems to have landed in Minnesota.

But is this truly his place? The future of Darnold as the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings could depend on how he performs in the playoffs.

The Vikings are traveling to face the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams (10-7) on Monday night to conclude wild card weekend. This game was relocated to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona due to wildfires in the Los Angeles region.

For Darnold, this upcoming NFC wild-card game will mark his first-ever start in the playoffs. He knows that performances in the playoffs can significantly impact careers and personal legacies.

“I think, obviously this is the time when people that – whether they’ve had long careers, they’ve been with the same team for a while, or if they’ve been moving around the league, this is when legacies are made in the playoffs, not just with winning, but with the later games like the AFC and NFC championships, and winning Super Bowls; that’s how you’ll be remembered in the end,” Darnold told reporters this week. “Looking 50 years into the future, that’s what people will recall.”

Before joining the Vikings, many considered Darnold a quarterback without a defined role. He was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL draft but faced struggles, recording a 13-25 record over three seasons as a starter.

Darnold had two disappointing seasons with the Carolina Panthers, finishing with an 8-9 record as a starter. Last year, he served as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers before signing a one-year deal with the Vikings in March 2024.

The Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy just a month later. However, McCarthy suffered a season-ending knee injury in August, which allowed Darnold to step into the starting role.

Darnold has revitalized his career this season in Minnesota, achieving personal bests in nearly every key quarterback statistic, like completions (361), passing yards (4,319), touchdowns (35), and passer rating (102.5), leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record.

“Sam Darnold is a significant factor in our 14 wins. His teammates acknowledge it, and we do too,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell noted this week.

However, the Vikings missed out on achieving a 15th victory when the Detroit Lions decisively took the NFC North title with a 31-9 victory in Week 18. In that loss, Darnold showed some of his former inconsistencies. He struggled, completing just 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards, marking his lowest completion percentage and total passing yards of the season. The Vikings also finished with a season-low in points scored.

“I just need to trust my throws, my feet, my vision, and deliver,” Darnold reflected after analyzing his performance from the Week 18 defeat. “The key is seeing the throw and going for it without hesitation.”

How Darnold responds in his inaugural playoff outing might be crucial for his future in Minnesota. With his contract nearing its end, the Vikings also have McCarthy as an option for the future.

To solidify his position and create a lasting legacy in Minnesota, Darnold needs to succeed during the playoffs. If he has a mixed bag of performance and the Vikings exit early, it’s reasonable to assume he might embark on a new chapter this offseason.