The Minnesota Vikings worked quickly to fill the quarterback void left by Kirk Cousins’ departure to the Atlanta Falcons. Sam Darnold, whom the team has been intrigued by since general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was hired in 2022, is the team’s newest option.

Darnold is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Vikings, a team source confirmed Tuesday morning. NFL Network was the first to report the agreement. Minnesota preferred him as a bridge quarterback candidate to potentially pair with a highly drafted rookie.

Not only does Darnold have familiarity with the developmental process of a first-round pick, but also he’s emerging from a season in San Francisco in which he showed flashes. Darnold started one game in 2023 and completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw an interception.