Barring an extension with the Minnesota Vikings, it looks like Sam Darnold will head to free agency after turning in a career year that promises to land him a life-changing payday.
After disappointing stints with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, Sam Darnold spent the 2023 season as Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers before signing with the Vikings last year. Darnold completed 66.2 percent of pass attempts for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Henry McKenna of Fox Sports predicted the landing spots for the top 2025 NFL free agents, with the open market set to open next Wednesday. McKenna projects that the Steelers will win the Darnold sweepstakes and bring him in to replace pending free agents Russell Wilson and Justin Fields:
“There aren’t many places where I’d get excited about Darnold’s prospects. But Pittsburgh is one of them. For all the complaining about Mike Tomlin’s spot in 10-win purgatory, he is doing something remarkable. This isn’t Jeff Fisher.
It’s almost impossible to have sustained success in the way Tomlin is doing it. And he did a much-overlooked job of getting to double-digit wins with a QB who looked like a total bust (Justin Fields) and another who looked totally washed (Russell Wilson). I think Darnold is better than both of those guys. He could get this team deep into the postseason.”
Fields started the Steelers’ first six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury. The veteran Pro Bowler took over the QB1 job upon returning and got off to a strong start, with Pittsburgh sitting at 10-3 start in Week 14.
But the Steelers lost their final four regular season games and handed the AFC North division crown to the archrival Baltimore Ravens on a silver platter. The Ravens crushed the Steelers 28-14 on Wild Card Weekend, extending Pittsburgh’s playoff win drought to eight years.
Sam Darnold Would Be An Upgrade Over Russell Wilson & Justin Fields
It’s easy to be skeptical of Darnold’s ability to repeat his 2024 season if he leaves Minnesota, but Mike Tomlin is a future Hall of Famer who has squeaked out constant winning seasons with guys like a washed up Ben Roethlisberger, Kenny Pickett and Mitch Trubisky.
Put Sam Darnold on a well-coached Steelers team, and he should be a suitable upgrade over the Wilson-Fields tandem from 2023. Of course, Pittsburgh would have to bring in additional weapons to help Darnold with star running back Najee Harris headed to free agency.
