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The 8 Most Logical Landing Spots for Sam Darnold

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold signed a one-year deal with the purple team nine months ago, while general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted JJ McCarthy from Michigan. six weeks later.

The 8 Most Sensible Landing Spots for Sam Darnold

No one is quite sure if Darnold will return to the Vikings in 2025; This will be a popular topic of discussion once the 2024 regular season concludes.

But generally speaking, these are Darnold’s eight most likely landing spots for next season as he reignites his career in the Twin Cities.

8. Indianapolis Colts

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The Colts will likely stick with Anthony Richardson — they should — and current QB2 Joe Flacco is also a veteran.

Indianapolis could sign Darnold to a two-year, $60 million deal and allow Richardson to watch and develop in 2025.

This goal is unlikely, but it can’t be completely crossed off the list. It all depends on the Colts’ front office’s offseason opinion of Richardson.

7.Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns backup quarterback Jameis Winston (right) holds quarterback Deshaun Watson (4), wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) on the field during the first half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday. welcomes outside. , September 8, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Cleveland is already paying too much money for Deshaun Watson, which makes Darnold less likely to land on Kevin Stefanski’s team. But if Jameis Winston opts out this offseason, the Browns will need another startable backup plan because Watson isn’t very good.

That could be Darnold, and he could be in good hands with Stefanski, the Vikings’ former quarterbacks coach.

The obstacle here will be money. Watson’s cap hit in 2025 is $73 million, so the dollars in the quarterback budget are more than solid.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Las Vegas, the beginning of its “bridge quarterback” options, could sign Darnold in March to pass on to a rookie the Raiders select in April.

Las Vegas is almost guaranteed to draft a quarterback, and if that guy needs a few games to get acclimated — look: Drake Maye in New England this season — Darnold will be up to the task.

5. Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) walks off the field after a loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK, via Imagn Images.

Will Levis still have plenty of time to develop into a quarterback who can start playing in the NFL, but will the Titans have the patience?

Tennessee could look for a top-tier back in 2025 or cut bait on Levis altogether. This would make Darnold a solution in two ways: insurance for Levis or a bridge quarterback to a passer drafted in April.

Tennessee will take another look at Mason Rudolph this week, so there is clearly quarterback uncertainty.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images. The Vikings improved their record to 7-2 by defeating the Jaguars 12-7, thanks to four shots from new kicker Parker Romo.

Should it be Darnold? Negative Once he finds a massive payday on the open free agent market, the safest bet for him is to return with the Vikings and be one step away from QB1 should JJ McCarthy suffer another injury.

His first season as a Vikings went pretty well, and this Vikings front office likes to hedge its bets. The real issue will be money, as most people don’t expect Minnesota to spend $40+ million on a quarterback. Kirk Cousins ​​hit the pause button on that period when he left earlier this year.

3.Seattle Seahawks

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Recently the Seahawks signed Geno Smith as their semi-long-term QB1 solution. They have the pedigree to do it again with Darnold, who would represent an improvement over Smith if he brings his newfound skills from Minnesota to Seattle.

There is no guaranteed money left in Smith’s contract. The end of the 2025 season feels like a natural divorce point if the Seahawks miss the postseason.

Darnold could cook off DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.

2. New York Giants

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

The Giants released Daniel Jones last month; This is a surprising development considering he was the QB1 solution after beating Minnesota in the playoffs less than two years ago. He eventually met up with the Vikings. What a world.

Like Minnesota this year, New York will likely invest a lot of draft capital on a point guard and then look for a veteran to show that guy the ropes.

Darnold would be a smart choice and would essentially do for the Giants in 2025 what he did for the Vikings in 2024.

1. Los Angeles Rams

Landing Points
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. After winning the Super Bowl in Los Angeles in 2021, O’Connell left the Rams in 2022 and took over as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

If Matthew Stafford retires after this season — a real possibility — circle Darnold as the top option to take over in Los Angeles.

If the Vikings offense can cook with Darnold at QB1, the Rams can too.

Darnold could also head to Los Angeles as Stafford’s backup and heir apparent. This makes perfect sense.

It’s also worth noting that Stafford only has $4 million guaranteed left in his current contract. This offseason could be a jumping off point, and Darnold + McVay will do the trick. This would be a carbon copy of Baker Mayfield pitching himself as the Buccaneers’ long-term starter.


Vikings Might Have a Chance to Add Massive Roster Upgrade

dustin baker He is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The program, which is prepared with 4-7 episodes per week, includes guests, analyzes and opinions on everything related to the purple team. The Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Guilty pleasures listed: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos’, Basset Hounds and The Doors (band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; All contract information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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