Bleacher Report Names Best Landing Spot for Sam Darnold
He should explore his options and play for the New York Giants.
Bleacher Report Names Best Landing Spot for Sam Darnold
That’s the recommendation from Bleacher Report this week, sizing up the impending Sam Darnold free-agent sweepstakes and deciding that Darnold would look good in Brian Daboll blue.
BR claimed the other New York team, the Jets, would represent the worst landing spot.
“Sam Darnold imploded over the final two games of the 2024 season. His tendency to hold onto the ball became a massive problem as pressure packages made him uncomfortable in the pocket,” BR’s Kristopher Knox wrote, “While it was a disappointing end to an otherwise remarkable season — Darnold posted a career-high 102.5 passer rating and made his first Pro Bowl — it should make it easier for Minnesota to begin turning the page to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.”
Darnold accrued 36 total touchdowns in 2024, along with 4,319 passing yards. He nibbled at MVP consideration for the first 3.5 months of the season but regrettably struggled in Week 18 and the playoffs. Enthusiasm for a contract extension in Minnesota, at least from fans, diminished.
“The time is now for Darnold to cash in on his strong regular season. The New York Giants could be a strong landing spot for him. They have a true No. 1 receiver in Malik Nabers and a head coach in Brian Daboll who can maximize Darnold’s arm strength and athleticism, as he did with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills,” Knox added.
“The Giants need a new franchise quarterback after dumping Daniel Jones in-season, and there’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to land either Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward with the third overall pick in the draft.”
Other teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Seattle Seahawks could inquire about Darnold’s 2025 asking price. The open market suggests that his next deal will allow him to earn $40 million annually.
The Giants are a strong landing spot for Darnold — from a prediction standpoint — because the aforementioned Daboll and his boss, general manager Joe Schoen, must win now. Entering Year No. 4, that leadership tandem may not have time to wait for a rookie passer to develop.
The Steelers, as well, would make a lot of sense. They have a history of dusting off veteran signal-callers for QB1 duty.
Darnold will turn 28 in June. Barring a bizarre change of heart, Minnesota is expected to roll with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025, the man drafted 10th overall last April.
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.
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