Sam Darnold Rumors: Vikings 'Would Love' QB To Sign New Contract Amid Raiders Buzz
Sam Darnold Rumors: Vikings 'Would Love' QB To Sign New Contract Amid Raiders Buzz
Blog Article
The Minnesota Vikings declined to use the franchise tag on Sam Darnold, but they reportedly still want the quarterback to return in 2025.
ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Thursday the Vikings "would love" for Darnold to return even though they "remain committed to J.J. McCarthy as their franchise quarterback of the future." Yet Graziano also explained the veteran signal-caller "will likely find better deals on the open market" given Minnesota's financial commitment to Justin Jefferson at $35 million per year and belief in McCarthy.
This comes after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Darnold is among the quarterbacks the Las Vegas Raiders are interested in this offseason.
Darnold is one of the most interesting case studies in free agency this offseason, as he doesn't have a long track record of success but was excellent in 2024 until the final two games. And those final two games stood out given the spotlight they were under, although it remains to be seen how much, if at all, they impact his value on the open market.
From Minnesota's perspective, keeping Darnold would be ideal because he could provide a bridge option until McCarthy is ready to take over. He would also be something of an insurance policy in case the Michigan product struggles after missing his rookie season with a knee injury.
All Darnold did last season with the Vikings was surpass even the most optimistic expectations while going 14-3 as a starter and completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Some of that success was overshadowed by his struggles in the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions and the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams when he managed to lead just one touchdown drive across the two blowout losses, but he still was an overwhelming success in 2024.
And that stands in stark contrast to when he went a combined 21-35 as a starter with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.
That resurgence last season figures to lead to plenty of interest as a free agent, and the Vikings now have to hope the offers elsewhere are less than expected and he decides to return.
Report this page