Sam Darnold Connected to Familiar Team in Rumor Mill
The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Sam Darnold from free agency on a one-year deal in March, so he could be playing his final eight games for the purple team in the next two months.
Sam Darnold Connected to Familiar Team in Rumor Mill
Minnesota has rookie passer J.J. McCarthy waiting for a QB1 takeover once his meniscus heals, and many expect that to happen in 2025.
And that might mean that Darnold will need a new place of NFL employment. ESPN believes that could be the Tennessee Titans, a club Minnesota plays this weekend.
Sizing up the eventual market for Darnold, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler opined this week, “Let’s go with the Titans. I’ve identified at least six teams that either need a bridge quarterback or could entertain the notion soon. The Titans are in the latter category. Will Levis has the next eight games to show he can be the long-term answer at quarterback. Maybe he proves the Titans right. But if his penchant for interceptions reemerges, the Titans will need contingencies in 2025.”
Darnold ranks 11th among qualifying quarterbacks per EPA+CPOE this season, an efficiency metric measuring expected wins added. He’s recently encountered a turnover problem, but his team is 7-2, nevertheless.
“Darnold is a proven commodity who would give Tennessee a bridge starter option while it continues to develop Levis or selects a quarterback high in the 2025 draft. So in this scenario, he would be the starter for coach Brian Callahan,” Fowler added.
This isn’t the first time Darnold has been linked to Tennessee. Bleacher Report did the same thing in September. “Maybe Will Levis proves he deserves another shot next season. Maybe he doesn’t. Either way, the Titans should be prepared to at least add a veteran who could compete for the job. Sam Darnold is on pace to become the latest signal-caller to enjoy a post-hype breakout as a serviceable starter,” BR’s collective staff wrote in September.
“If the Vikings want to transition to J.J. McCarthy next season, then Darnold could be a surprisingly in-demand free agent,” BR also wrote about the concept of Darnold to Tennessee.
Other recent would-be 2025 landing spots for Darnold have included the Los Angeles Rams if Matthew Stafford retires or the Las Vegas Raiders for another bridge quarterback assignment.
The Vikings could also keep Darnold beyond 2024, though his salary will be substantially more than $10 million, his current salary.
Darnold is on pace for 4,044 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions this season.
The Aaron Jones Injury Update
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.