After a profession 12 months on a one-year, prove-it contract, there was a little bit of an expectation that Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold had performed a powerful bit of labor to enhance his contract outlook for 2025. The best way the 2025 offseason has been growing, although, it’s trying 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 profitable seven of 13 begins in a sophomore marketing campaign for the Jets, any hopes had been dashed when he went 2-10 the following 12 months. The Panthers gave New York some respectable worth in a commerce simply to see Darnold go 4-7 in his first 12 months 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 profitable the backup job, he made one begin in 10 appearances, getting the bottom enjoying time of his profession.
Regardless of having simply spent a 12 months as a backup, Darnold signed a one-year, $10M cope with the Vikings, who had 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 possibility in case McCarthy was not able to take the reins as a rookie. His intensive expertise as a starter made him a beneficial 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 lower 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 in consequence.
Understandably, it was potential commerce goal Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles who drew probably the most consideration from groups wanting to amass a veteran quarterback. Now that he’s remaining with the Rams, Darnold has change into the brand new high possibility. The Raiders are a workforce that had been attempting onerous for Stafford, however multiple sources at The Athletic declare that they had been solely prepared to shell out critical money for Stafford.
After the Raiders, it’s onerous to think about anybody eager to spend critical 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 following 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 fascinated with reuniting with New York and MetLife.
Tennessee looks as if 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 is likely to be an expensive bridge possibility. The Titans may 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 might commerce out of the highest spot, buying extra draft capital whereas possible nonetheless with the ability to choose a gifted first-rounder.
The most suitable 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 effectively within the constructing and stays as a beginning possibility if McCarthy struggles early. It’s disappointing that Darnold’s huge 12 months might not get rewarded in the best way many anticipated, however he nonetheless has some attention-grabbing choices to profit from his scenario.
