Last year, at precisely this time on the NFL calendar, credible reporting suggested that Kirk Cousins would likely end up with the Atlanta Falcons via free agency.
Sam Darnold Sweepstakes Could Be Down to 2 Teams
That intel was correct.
This go-round, the Minnesota Vikings have a similar situation with quarterback Sam Darnold, and he, too, is beginning to experience a Cousins-like fate — unlikely to return to the Vikings but with landing spots lining up.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday night, about 19 hours before the league’s franchise tag deadline: “Vikings QB Sam Darnold is unlikely to be franchise tagged ahead of Tuesday’s 4 pm ET deadline, per league sources. Minnesota still is interested in working to re-sign Darnold, but it is likely to be without any tag.”
And with Darnold inches from free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants are taking center stage as 2025 destinations.
Las Vegas Raiders
CBS Sports‘ Cody Benjamin wrote Monday, one week before free agency’s commencement: “The Raiders are a more complicated situation, as there have been conflicting reports regarding their interest in Darnold. The Athletic previously indicated minority owner Tom Brady and new general manager John Spytek’ prioritized Stafford [in trade talks] because they are not super high on Sam Darnold’ or other veteran quarterbacks set to be available this offseason. Las Vegas also owns a top-10 pick in the draft.”
The working theory is that the Raiders wanted Stafford before he opted to return to Los Angeles, but with that option off the table, Darnold could be Plan B.
Las Vegas has no quarterback of the future attached to the roster, aside from Aidan O’Connell, and the Raiders’ sixth pick in April’s draft isn’t prime territory for a rookie passer unless Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders suffers a draft night tumble.
Spytek, in theory, could sign Darnold for a year or two while choosing a quarterback like Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe after Round 1, nominating Darnold for a similar arrangement to his time with the 2024 Vikings.
Las Vegas has been the frontrunner to sign or trade for Darnold for weeks, especially because of his USC shared background with new head coach Pete Carroll.
New York Giants
Benajamin wrote about Darnold in New York: “The Giants were reportedly interested in Stafford before the Rams quarterback resolved financial differences with Los Angeles, so Darnold fits the bill as an experienced fallback option. New York is also a candidate to address quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft, owning the No. 3 overall selection.”
The Giants have a clearer path to draft the aforementioned Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward with pick No. 3. Still, New York’s current leadership regime, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, must “win now,” adding legitimacy to the Darnold theories.
Aaron Rodgers, too, could be a temporary option for Schoen and Daboll.
Darnold tabulated over 4,000 passing yards in 2024, along with 35 total touchdowns. Before his Week 18 and playoff meltdown, some whispered the 27-year-old as an MVP candidate.
If it’s not the Raiders or Giants, the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers could also explore his impending free agency.
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.