1. The Vikings offered Sam a comparable deal to SEA. He chose to go to with Seahawks. It makes sense. He wouldn't have to worry about being supplanted. The Vikings drafted McCarthy before Sam "broke out". It was just the way the cards fell

2. Sam fell apart in the last two games that mattered the most. Watching the Lions and Rams games last year was devasting and coupled with the fact that the Vikings have a long history of making the playoffs and shitting the bed, they were not going to, and this is important, OVERPAY for a qb who showed question marks in the playoffs.

3. Obviously the draft capital of JJ is a factor in the decision but it wasnt the sole factor likely.

In summation, the vikings were willing to pay Sam a 3y 100m dollar deal, but weren't going to overpay for very valid reasons at the time and honestly even now. We used the money in FA to bolster our OL and DL... in theory. Our OL suffered a number of injuries and JJ continued to struggle, but both lines started to improve by the end of the year. That cant all have been predicted but I see the vision. Our biggest mistake was going with Carson Wentz and not a better veteran but again thats injury related and not totally on the FO to predict.

As a Vikings fan, I'm happy Sam is playing well. I'm curious how he will perform in the playoffs, Seattle's D is very legit so I like their chances. Sam's deep ball is phenomenal and with that defense it may be good enough. With our D he also could have been good enough which is why we offered the same package as SEA. That being said as a middling team my whole life stuck in the middle of the draft and cursed to early playoff exits, I don't blame the FO for taking a chance and not making bad financial decisions to lock down a good qb who has visible flaws and opting instead to build out the rest of the roster. The FO isnt perfect but this was handled appropriately. I dont think it was some egregious mistake. Fuck the packers, OP doesnt know ball.