The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly moving on from quarterback Sam Darnold after a surprisingly successful one-year run.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the 27-year-old quarterback “is not expected to” re-sign with the Vikings with free agency set to begin on Wednesday. Pelissero adds that Minnesota will explore other choices, including re-signing third-stringer Daniel Jones.
The Vikings’ decision isn’t overly surprising here. Darnold obviously wants a lot of money after a career year, and the Vikings used a 2024 first-round pick on the promising J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie year recovering from a torn meniscus.
Pelissero and other NFL insiders quickly linked the Seattle Seahawks to Sam Darnold after trading Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday evening. Sam Howell is currently the QB1 on Seattle’s depth chart.
For at least one season, Sam Darnold erased the “bust” label by having a career year in Minnesota. He threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and led Minny to its best regular season record (14-3) since the 1998 squad that went 15-1.
Seahawks Are The Best Fit For Sam Darnold
Seeing how the Seahawks revived Geno Smith’s career following the Russell Wilson trade, it’s not a stretch to think they can help Darnold sustain the Pro Bowl performances we saw in 2024.D.K. Metcalf may be on his way out, but Darnold would join a well-coached team with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet as its main weapons. Of course, GM John Schneider will likely add more receiving help if Metcalf is traded.
