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 executed a formidable bit of labor to enhance his contract outlook for 2025. The way in which the 2025 offseason has been creating, although, it’s trying prefer it is perhaps a little bit of a problem 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 displaying 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 taking part in time of his profession.
Regardless of having simply spent a yr as a backup, Darnold signed a one-year, $10M cope with the Vikings, who have been transferring on from long-time passer Kirk Cousins and drafting the Faculty 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 in depth expertise as a starter made him a priceless choice to compete for the beginning job with the 21-year-old who might function a powerful 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 whole rookie season. Darnold stepped into the beginning position and led the Vikings to competitors for the No. 1 general seed within the NFC with a 14-3 document whereas recording profession highs in passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35) whereas throwing solely 12 picks. Darnold and the Vikings turned the shock of the season, and the expectation was that his worth as a free agent would skyrocket because of this.
Understandably, it was potential commerce goal Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles who drew probably the most consideration from groups needing to accumulate a veteran quarterback. Now that he’s remaining with the Rams, Darnold has grow to be the brand new high choice. The Raiders are a workforce that have been attempting onerous for Stafford, however a number of sources at The Athletic declare that they have been solely prepared to shell out severe money for Stafford.
After the Raiders, it’s onerous to think about anybody eager to spend severe cash on the place. The Vikings have explored tagging choices, however they’re ready at hand the workforce over to McCarthy and received’t possible be prepared 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 look like Darnold is excited about reuniting with New York and MetLife.
Tennessee looks like the most effective choices to discover his worth. The Titans appear to have curiosity in using the Will Levis prepare for a bit longer, and Darnold is perhaps an expensive bridge choice. The Titans might additionally use their No. 1 general draft choose 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 possible nonetheless with the ability to choose a gifted first-rounder.
The best choice may be to return to Minnesota, although. The Vikings have already made it identified they’re not prepared to decide to a big-money, long-term deal, however he is aware of he matches nicely within the constructing and stays as a beginning choice if McCarthy struggles early. It’s disappointing that Darnold’s massive yr might not get rewarded in the best way many anticipated, however he nonetheless has some fascinating choices to benefit from his scenario.
