The Minnesota Vikings are carefully navigating their situation with Sam Darnold, leaving the door open for the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle recently traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, and now the Raiders are considered a top potential destination for Darnold, thanks to the influence of NFL legend Tom Brady and a coaching staff that includes Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio believes Seattle wouldn’t have traded Smith without a clear plan to replace him, with Darnold emerging as the “most obvious candidate,” especially after his strong performance against the Seahawks in Week 16 of the regular season.
Florio even suggested that all signs point to Darnold heading to Seattle, with speculation that a deal could already be in place between the Seahawks and Darnold’s agents. Although such a move would technically be tampering, Florio noted that the NFL often overlooks such matters. He also pointed out that while Smith was seeking a $40 million per year deal, the Seahawks felt they could replace him for $30 million, further fueling the speculation surrounding Darnold’s potential move to Seattle.
Darnold, 27, is coming off a career-best 2024 season, completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. However, he also threw 12 interceptions and struggled in the final games of the season, including the Vikings’ NFC Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams, leaving mixed opinions about his future.
Sam Darnold
Darnold, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings in 2024, is expected to receive a much more lucrative deal this offseason. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and other insiders have connected Darnold to Seattle following the trade.
A key factor in the Vikings’ ability to retain Darnold could be the length of the contract, as he’s reportedly seeking a three-year deal. Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who previously coached Darnold, may influence their decision, with the team potentially offering the stability he’s looking for.
The Vikings, who have 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy waiting for a chance, face a tough decision regarding Darnold’s future. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport highlighted Darnold’s situation as one of several challenges the Vikings need to address, as they weigh their options for the upcoming season.
The idea of Darnold heading to Seattle is gaining significant traction, with The Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer noting that it could set off a series of moves in the league. It’s a storyline to watch closely as the NFL offseason unfolds.
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