Exploring potential offseason moves for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold as the former New York Jets prodigy plays himself into a top-of-the-line contract
Sam Darnold has remarkably led the Minnesota Vikings to a 12-2 record despite being signed as the team’s presumed backup to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy this offseason.
McCarthy tore his meniscus in August and underwent season-ending surgery before his NFL career even started, thrusting Darnold into the starting role. A free agent this offseason, Darnold comes with tremendous risk: he’s never had a season like 2024 (3,530 yards and 29 touchdowns). Any contract should feature front-loaded guarantees with extra years equating to team options.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee coach Dave Canales has already decided to move on from 2023 second-round pick Will Levis, turning to Mason Rudolph for a second time this year last Sunday.
The Titans are 3-11 and are in play for one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they are still set to face the Jacksonville Jaguars and could find themselves with anywhere from the third-ninth pick. That may not be good enough to land an elite quarterback.
The Titans can offer Darnold receivers Calvin Ridley, Nick Westrbook-Ikene, and not much else. The question isn’t if they want him: it’s if Darnold would leave the comfort of Minnesota for Tennessee.
Carr has been a disappointment, however. New Orleans can save $30 million if they designate him as a post-6/1 release – crucial money considering the Saints have the least cap space in the league
With an all-in roster and a record not bad enough to land a high draft pick, an incentive-laden deal for Darnold could work out well. If he’s poor in his first year, New Orleans could turn to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Indianapolis Colts
Any Darnold-to-Indianapolis deal is contingent on coach Shane Steichen committing to move on from Anthony Richardson: the former fourth-overall pick’s erratic accuracy has stunted some of his athletic gifts.
While some have pigeonholed Steichen as a “duel-threat” quarterback whisperer due to his success with Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, he has had success with traditional pocket passers before (ex: Justin Herbert in 2020, Gardner Minshew in 2023).
The Colts enter the offseason with $48 million in cap space and all their big names under contract for 2024 – there is a deal here that makes sense.
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