Sam Darnold's free agent options: Which teams make best and why?

Although Sam Darnold's last two appearances of the season gave some weaknesses in his game, the quarterback from Minnesota Vikings is desired this low season.

The 27 -year -old Darnold threw 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, each profession highs. According to Pro Football Focus, his large throwing rate within the NFL took sixth place in 25 qualified quarterbacks. His EPA Pro experiment took eleventh place.

Darnold prefer two aspects in front of the free agency. First, the free agent quarters back class consists of journeyman and aging veterans. Second, the quarterbacks within the 2025 NFL The class design shouldn’t be as announced as in previous years.

The Vikings still have the franchise day available. It is a step that is sensible when Minnesota prefers to get well the draft of capital in the current – and if one other team Darnold doesn’t want to achieve on the open market.

Who is likely to be taken with the quarterback after a profession season? Here are five reasonable ways why they may make sense and why they don't prefer it.

Sam Darnold was voted essentially the most improved player by the PFWA The most improved NFL player.

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– Minnesota Vikings (@vikings) January 24, 2025

Las Vegas Raiders

Why it will make sense: No quarterback recent team has more cap place than the Raiders. They have 2025 place value around $ 90 million and for 2026 almost $ 180 million of obtainable expenses. In addition, the newly hired head coach Pete Carroll has experience with well -used quarterback. (See: Geno Smith.) Quarterback has priority for Las Vegas after two seasons from Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O'Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer.

Darnold would now almost definitely be interested in learning and spending time by Tom Brady, the owner of the minority of Raiders' minority. If the dimensions and length of the contract of Darnold are final focus, only a couple of teams have the resources required to place together a greater financial package.

Why it will make no sense: Darnold's first five NFL games taught him the importance of a committed organization. The Raiders have only done the playoffs twice since 2002 and haven’t reached the division round since then. Adding Brady and the creation of Carroll could indicate the expansion of the Las Vegas leadership structure, however the proof of progress requires actions over time.

The Raiders may be in the marketplace to design a quarterback. You have the sixth alternative and Shedur Sanders and Cam Ward could possibly be involved. In order for these two to give you the chance to pass well and even need to thrive for a leisure obligation like Darnold, the Raiders need to attach their skill player group next to Brock Bowers with an in depth end.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Why it will make sense: At the start of this week, Art Rooney II, President of Steeler's team, said reporters: “We have to address this quarterback position.” Rooney kept the door open to sign Russell Wilson and Justin Fields again, which should develop into free agents. “I think my preference would probably be that the next time there will be a little more than a one -year (deal),” added Rooney. That might be what Darnold will search for.

Pittsburgh has around 40 million US dollars on Cap Space. Head coach Mike Tomlin's culture is a draw for players. By signing Darnold, the Steelers would prevent it from moving within the design for a quarterback.

Why it will make no sense: Wilson and Fields are former starters. Bring one among them back and it’s difficult to pay Pittsburgh for one more quarterback at no cost agent.

The steelers' offensive talent can be missing. The Mercurial George Pickens describes her reception corps. Your best offensive lineman is Center Zach Frazier, but the remainder of the group needs to be upgraded.

Would Darnold be confident enough about Arthur Smith's program and play after his last two seasons, one with Kyle Shanahan and the opposite with Kevin O'Connell? Smith succeeded in Tennessee with Ryan Tannehill, so it is feasible.

Seattle Seahawks

Why it will make sense: Let's start with the newly employed offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. As coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers Passing Game in 2023, Kubiak worked closely with Darnold, who supported 49ers Quarterback Brock Purdy this 12 months. The Seahawks even have a substantial variety of offensive weapons: DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III. This combination – familiarity and skill player – could fascinate Darnold.

In the meantime, Seattle doesn’t have to go looking for data points in Darnold's season. Darnold organized a game-winning journey in Lumen Field in Lumen Field, which is roofed by exceptional pocket movement and an extended touchdown pass for the superstar receiver Justin Jefferson.

The Seahawks could save 31 million US dollars for the upper limit by cutting off the quarterback geno Smith. This would mean that you’ve gotten to search out a brand new starter.

Why it will make no sense: The CAP situation of the Seahawks for 2025 complicated the matter. They are about $ 27 million above the upper limit. To acquire Darnold, Seattle first needed to separate from Smith after which make some gymnastics together with his books.

There are countless levers that would pull the Seahawks. The restructuring of defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dre'mont Jones would help. The experienced recipient Tyler Lockett also has a substantial contract that may be value a deeper evaluation. Remarkably, nonetheless, the Cap Square of Seattle is drastically increasing in 2026, which suggests that the Seahawks Darnold's deal could reload to secure its services.

New York Giants

Why it will make sense: Only a couple of teams are desperate after a solution to the quarterback than the Giants. Eli Manning retired in 2019, and New York has been in the marketplace for a legitimate successor since then. In 2025 Cap Space, the Giants even have greater than 40 million US dollars and almost $ 140 million for 2026.

General Manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are on thin ice after they’ve gone 9-25 within the last two seasons. Would you be able to bet your future on a rookie quarters back?

Why it will make no sense: This list is long. Darnold has spent three years in New York. Would he entertain the thought of ​​returning and playing for a team that is comparable in his process?

The Giants could have a one-man explosive game with recipient Malik Nabers, but their offensive line has been inconsistent for years. The potential for discontinuity could also increase red flags for Darnold, which worked with several play areas in New York and Carolina.

Another quarterback, Daniel Jones, one other Vikings Quarterback, has probably approved Darkold from the culture of Giants under Schön and Daboll. Among the five teams on this list, the Giants could also be most much like the infrastructure, from which he separated when he left the Panthers.

Minnesota Vikings

Why it will make sense: All of this relies on how the Vikings see the young quarterback JJ McCarthy, which recovers from a torn meniscus. If Minnesota is of the opinion that he’s briefly prepared, it shouldn’t be the neatest strategy for constructing duties for a free agent quarters. In order for Darnold to return, McCarthy would need to be away from the willingness, and the competition for Darnold in the marketplace must be lower than what many expect.

In this case, the return to the Vikings could possibly be useful. The Minnesota loose Room Darnold, and it will be a bonus for him to spend one other season in O'Connell's system that works with quarterback coach Josh McCown.

Why it will make no sense: Minnesota has many squad needs – and only 4 draft picks to fill them. The use of a big a part of his salary cap-room on a quarterback would limit, restrict, restrict, restrict, and be certain that your secondary staircase doesn’t lose any step.

Nevertheless, Darnold doesn’t have any guarantees. McCarthy is unproven and expects one other quarterback, including Jones, to supply the way in which Darnold did a big order. Nevertheless, O'Connell and the Vikings' staff with Jefferson built a reasonably high offensive floor, which makes Christian Darrisaw and recipient Jordan Addison on the left easier for an adolescent like McCarthy.