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Where will quarterback Sam Darnold sign in NFL free agency? Andrew dives into the potential landing spots for free agent quarterback Sam Darnold.
Sam Darnold's resurgent 2024 season grabbed the eyes of quarterback-needy general managers across the NFL. His disastrous end to the campaign caused trepidation.
Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson are the biggest dominoes on the free-agent market. Justin Fields and Daniel Jones could also be signed with a starting position in mind. With a below-average quarterback draft class, these veterans could have starting spots in 2025.
Which team is Sam Darnold's best fit, and which franchise is most likely to sign him? Let's break down the options.
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Which Teams Would Be The Best Fit For Sam Darnold?
Minnesota Vikings
One moment, we hear Sam Darnold and the Vikings are negotiating a new contract. The next moment, a second season together sounds unlikely, and 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy will take over as the team's starting quarterback.
Adam Schefter on the likelihood of QB Sam Darnold returning to Minnesota:
“Not high.”
(Via @KFAN1003) pic.twitter.com/KywEnj5sOc
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 7, 2025
The Sean McVay/Kevin O'Connell offensive system is the best for Darnold's skill set. 2024 was Darnold's second season with a winning record, first over 4,000 passing yards, and first over 20 passing touchdowns (35).
If he were to return to Minnesota, it's likely on a short-term deal again. McCarthy is the franchise's future. Darnold would continue his journey as a bridge quarterback while McCarthy continues to recover from a torn ACL. If Darnold wants a long-term deal, he's better suited to sign in another city.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are aggressively searching for a new starting quarterback in 2025. Gardner Minshew II will be released, and the new regime doesn't like Aidan O'Connell in that role.
Top-ranked rookie quarterback Cam Ward won't be an option for Las Vegas at the sixth overall pick. They'll need to trade up to select him or settle for Shedeur Sanders or another inexperienced signal caller.
It seems more likely that the Raiders will browse veterans in the free agency market. Darnold will cost the most but theoretically provides a longer tenure than Rodgers or Wilson. Pete Carroll's run-first approach will take some pressure off Darnold.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a wild card in the quarterback arms race. General manager Chris Ballard is feeling the heat. If he doesn't believe in former first-round pick Anthony Richardson anymore, Darnold can stabilize one of the Colts' glaring weaknesses in 2024.
Anthony Richardson gets picked in the end zone pic.twitter.com/rjWJkES7NJ
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) September 22, 2024
The Colts have limited cap space and would need to maneuver money to make a deal with Darnold. Ballard will add a veteran quarterback to compete with Richardson. If it's not Darnold, it could be former Viking and Giant Daniel Jones.
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