The Minnesota Vikings are having a surprisingly fantastic season, considering their franchise quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is out with a season-ending injury. Backup quarterback Sam Darnold has been delivering for Minnesota, and their record is 11-2, only behind the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
But, next season, when McCarthy is likely back, Darnold will either stick with the Vikings as a backup or find a franchise quarterback opportunity for himself elsewhere.
Teams Possibly Interested in Sam Darnold
In a December 11 story for Bleacher Report, NFL Analyst and expert Kristopher Knox named some suggested landing spots for Darnold.
For one, he thinks the No. 1 most likely spot for Darnold is actually staying with the Vikings.
“Just because the Vikings haven’t discussed an extension with Darnold, it doesn’t mean he won’t be back,” Knox noted. “However, Minnesota probably won’t re-sign him on a multi-year deal at market value.”
From there, Knox has the Las Vegas Raiders as the No. 2 most likely landing spot for Darnold.
“Unlike Pittsburgh, the Las Vegas Raiders don’t have a clear-cut starter worth retaining,” Darnold said, explaining why the Raiders might look to Darnold. “Gardner Minshew II, who is on injured reserve with a broken collarbone, was middling at best. Aidan O’Connell has shown enough promise to be a long-term backup, but he’s probably not the answer.”
Knox also names the Giants, Titans, Rams, Saints and Jets as possible landing spots.
Of the Jets, he notes, “The New York Jets are less of a wild card and more of an extreme long shot. Why? Because they are the team that drafted Darnold, only to trade him three years later.”
But, they could have a change of heart. Knox states, “Darnold could, in theory, finally get his ‘franchise-QB’ money, along with a shot at redemption in New York. Even then, though, his history with the franchise could make that a non-starter.”
“The Jets are the objectively hilarious destination,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano wrote stated in a November 13 feature.
More Sam Darnold Options
Over at the 33rd Team, NFL analyst Tyler Brooke names similar landing spots.
For the Vikings, he states, “Kevin O’Connell and Darnold have established a strong connection. While Darnold may not be a top-tier quarterback in the NFL, he could be a valuable bridge quarterback to continue starting in 2025 while allowing McCarthy to ease into a starting spot.”
He also adds the Steelers to the tally, because the Steelers actually don’t have a quarterback under contract in 2025.
“Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen are all free agents after this season,” Knox said. “The Steelers gambled on their strategy of stop-gap quarterbacks this season but found success with Fields and Wilson starting.”
He continued, “Darnold would be the top free-agent quarterback available and would be a younger option for Pittsburgh. He ranked ninth in the league in average depth of target heading into Week 14, meaning that he wouldn’t be afraid to get George Pickens involved on deep shots, which would make him a fit for their offense.”
While Knox notes that it would be a surprise for the Steelers to take Darnold, it could happen.