After a profession yr on a one-year, prove-it contract, there was a little bit of an expectation that Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold had completed a formidable bit of labor to enhance his contract outlook for 2025. The way in which the 2025 offseason has been growing, although, it’s wanting prefer it might be a bit of a challenge for Darnold to make to most of his upward momentum, per Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
It nearly appeared just like the NFL had given up on Darnold as a starter. After exhibiting promise successful seven of 13 begins in a sophomore marketing campaign for the Jets, any hopes have been dashed when he went 2-10 the subsequent yr. The Panthers gave New York some first rate worth in a commerce simply to see Darnold go 4-7 in his first yr with the workforce and be relegated to the bench the next season.
As a free agent in 2023, Darnold signed with the 49ers having to win the backup quarterback job behind Brock Purdy over Trey Lance. After successful the backup job, he made one begin in 10 appearances, getting the bottom enjoying time of his profession.
Regardless of having simply spent a yr as a backup, Darnold signed a one-year, $10M take care of the Vikings, who have been shifting on from long-time passer Kirk Cousins and drafting the School Soccer Nationwide Championship-winning quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Michigan. Signing Darnold gave them a backup choice in case McCarthy was not able to take the reins as a rookie. His intensive expertise as a starter made him a priceless choice to compete for the beginning job with the 21-year-old who may function a robust backup ought to the rookie win the job.
That competitors was minimize brief, although, when McCarthy suffered a meniscus harm that required a full restore surgical procedure, forcing him to overlook his total rookie season. Darnold stepped into the beginning function and led the Vikings to competitors for the No. 1 total seed within the NFC with a 14-3 report whereas recording profession highs in passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35) whereas throwing solely 12 picks. Darnold and the Vikings grew to become the shock of the season, and the expectation was that his worth as a free agent would skyrocket in consequence.
Understandably, it was potential commerce goal Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles who drew essentially the most consideration from groups needing to accumulate a veteran quarterback. Now that he’s remaining with the Rams, Darnold has change into the brand new high choice. The Raiders are a workforce that have been making an attempt arduous for Stafford, however multiple sources at The Athletic declare that they have been solely keen to shell out severe money for Stafford.
After the Raiders, it’s arduous to think about anybody eager to spend severe cash on the place. The Vikings have explored tagging choices, however they’re ready handy the workforce over to McCarthy and received’t probably be keen to dedicate a lot wage to Darnold to return. The Browns are already caught paying $92M over the subsequent two years to proceed watching Deshaun Watson not play. The Saints are sticking with Derek Carr. The Jets and Giants are theoretically choices, however per Volin, it doesn’t appear to be Darnold is curious about reuniting with New York and MetLife.
Tennessee looks like probably the greatest choices to discover his worth. The Titans appear to have curiosity in using the Will Levis prepare for a bit longer, and Darnold may be a dear bridge choice. The Titans may additionally use their No. 1 total draft decide on a quarterback and, as soon as once more, use Darnold as a competitor for his or her rookie. Or, if pairing Darnold with Levis satisfies their wants, they may commerce out of the highest spot, buying extra draft capital whereas probably nonetheless with the ability to choose a proficient first-rounder.
The most suitable choice may be to return to Minnesota, although. The Vikings have already made it recognized they’re not keen to decide to a big-money, long-term deal, however he is aware of he suits nicely within the constructing and stays as a beginning choice if McCarthy struggles early. It’s disappointing that Darnold’s large yr might not get rewarded in the best way many anticipated, however he nonetheless has some fascinating choices to benefit from his state of affairs.
