Although Sam Darnold’s remaining two performances of the season revealed some weaknesses in his sport, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback will probably be coveted this offseason.
Darnold, 27, threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, each profession highs. In line with Professional Soccer Focus, his big-time throw price ranked sixth within the NFL amongst 25 certified quarterbacks. His EPA per try ranked eleventh.
Two elements favor Darnold forward of free company. First, the free-agent quarterback class is comprised of journeymen and growing old veterans. Second, the quarterbacks within the 2025
The Vikings nonetheless have the franchise tag at their disposal. It’s a transfer that may make sense if Minnesota prefers to recoup draft capital within the current — and if one other group desires to maintain Darnold from reaching the open market.
So who is perhaps within the quarterback after a profession season? Listed here are 5 affordable potentialities, why they might make sense and why they won’t.
Sam Darnold has been voted NFL’s Most Improved Participant by the PFWA.
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Las Vegas Raiders
Why it could make sense: No quarterback-needy group has extra cap house than the Raiders. They’ve about $90 million of room in 2025 and nearly $180 million in out there spending for 2026. Moreover, newly employed head coach Pete Carroll has expertise with well-traveled quarterbacks. (See: Geno Smith.) Quarterback will probably be a precedence for Las Vegas after two seasons of Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O’Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer.
Darnold, in the meantime, would nearly actually be drawn to the prospect of studying from and spending time round Raiders minority proprietor Tom Brady. If the dimensions and size of the contract are Darnold’s final focus, few groups have the sources crucial to place collectively a greater monetary bundle.
Why it wouldn’t make sense: Darnold’s first 5 NFL seasons taught him the significance of a dedicated group. The Raiders have made the playoffs solely twice since 2002 and haven’t reached the divisional spherical since then. Including Brady and hiring Carroll would possibly point out development for Las Vegas’ management construction, however the proof of progress requires motion over time.
The Raiders is also available in the market to draft a quarterback. They’ve the sixth choose, and Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward could possibly be in play. For these two to transition effectively, and even for a free-agent signing like Darnold to flourish, the Raiders should fortify their talent participant group alongside tight finish Brock Bowers.
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Why it could make sense: Earlier this week, Steelers group president Artwork Rooney II informed reporters, “We’ve acquired to handle this quarterback place.” Rooney saved the door open to re-signing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who’re set to grow to be free brokers. “I feel my desire would in all probability be to have one thing greater than a one-year (deal) in place subsequent time round,” Rooney added. That’s seemingly what Darnold will probably be searching for.
Pittsburgh has round $40 million in cap house. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s tradition is a draw for gamers. Signing Darnold would forestall the Steelers from probably having to maneuver up within the draft for a quarterback.
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Why it wouldn’t make sense: Wilson and Fields are former starters. Convey again considered one of them, and it’s troublesome to check Pittsburgh paying a premium for one more free-agent quarterback.
Additionally, the Steelers’ offensive expertise is missing. The mercurial George Pickens headlines their receiving corps. Their greatest offensive lineman is middle Zach Frazier, however the remainder of the group wants upgrading.
Would Darnold really feel assured sufficient about Arthur Smith’s scheme and play calling after his final two seasons, one with Kyle Shanahan and the opposite with Kevin O’Connell? Smith succeeded in Tennessee with Ryan Tannehill, so it’s doable.
Seattle Seahawks
Why it could make sense: Let’s start with newly employed offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Because the San Francisco 49ers’ passing sport coordinator in 2023, Kubiak labored intently with Darnold, who backed up 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy that yr. The Seahawks even have a major variety of offensive weapons: DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III, amongst others. That mixture — familiarity and talent gamers — may intrigue Darnold.
Seattle, in the meantime, gained’t have to look far and extensive for knowledge factors on Darnold’s season. In Week 16 at Lumen Discipline, Darnold orchestrated a game-winning drive, capped by distinctive pocket motion and an extended landing go to celebrity receiver Justin Jefferson.
The Seahawks may save $31 million on the cap by chopping quarterback Geno Smith. Doing so would imply they’d must discover a new starter.
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Why it wouldn’t make sense: The Seahawks’ cap state of affairs for 2025 complicates issues. They’re about $27 million over the cap. To amass Darnold, Seattle would first must half methods with Smith after which do some gymnastics with its books.
There are numerous levers the Seahawks may pull. Restructuring defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dre’Mont Jones would assist. Veteran receiver Tyler Lockett additionally has a large contract that will be value a deeper evaluation. Notably, although, Seattle’s cap house will increase drastically in 2026, that means the Seahawks may backload Darnold’s deal to safe his companies.
New York Giants
Why it could make sense: Few groups are extra determined for a solution at quarterback than the Giants. Eli Manning retired in 2019, and New York has been available in the market for a legit successor ever since. The Giants even have greater than $40 million in cap house in 2025 and near $140 million for 2026.
Common supervisor Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are on skinny ice, having gone 9-25 over the earlier two seasons. Would they be keen to wager their futures on a rookie quarterback?
Why it wouldn’t make sense: This listing is lengthy. Darnold already spent three years in New York. After the Jets expertise, would he entertain the thought of returning and taking part in for a group that’s related in its course of?
The Giants may need a one-man explosive play price in receiver Malik Nabers, however their offensive line has been inconsistent for years. The potential for discontinuity may additionally increase purple flags for Darnold, who labored with a number of play callers in New York and Carolina.
One other Vikings quarterback, Daniel Jones, seemingly apprised Darnold of the Giants’ tradition underneath Schoen and Daboll. Among the many 5 groups on this listing, the Giants is perhaps probably the most just like the infrastructure he separated from when he left the Panthers.
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Minnesota Vikings
Why it could make sense: This all hinges on how the Vikings view younger quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who’s recovering from a torn meniscus. If Minnesota thinks he’s near prepared, paying a premium for a free-agent quarterback will not be the wisest roster-building technique. For Darnold to return, McCarthy must be additional away from readiness, and the competitors for Darnold available in the market must be lower than what many anticipate.
In that case, although, returning to the Vikings may make sense. The Minnesota locker room beloved Darnold, and it could be useful for him to spend one other season in O’Connell’s system working with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.
Why it wouldn’t make sense: Minnesota has loads of roster wants — and solely 4 draft picks to fill them. Utilizing a serious chunk of its salary-cap house on a quarterback would restrict the Vikings’ possibilities at fortifying the inside of the offensive line and guaranteeing their secondary doesn’t lose a step.
Nonetheless, shifting on from Darnold comes with no ensures. McCarthy is unproven, and anticipating one other quarterback, together with Jones, to supply the way in which Darnold did is a tall order. That stated, O’Connell and the Vikings workers have constructed a reasonably excessive offensive flooring with Jefferson, left sort out Christian Darrisaw and receiver Jordan Addison to ease the transition, even for a teen like McCarthy.
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