The Minnesota Vikings went from a Super Bowl contending, 14-game winner playing for the NFC North title with the conference's No. 1 seed and a wild-card bye on the line -- before Week 18's 31-9 defeat by the Detroit Lions -- to an early playoff exit because of a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

After his best season as a pro, Darnold was off his game for a second straight week. How will it impact Minnesota's offseason plans?

With all due respect to the stupid (and desperate) NFL team that will eventually give Sam Darnold a Brink’s Truck of money this offseason — I urge you to reconsider. Monday night’s Minnesota Vikings wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams was a microcosm of Darnold’s inherent flaws as a difference-making quarterback. Proceed with caution.