Breaking; Vikings’ Sam Darnold in High Demand: Raiders Reportedly Pushing for Blockbuster Trade – Will Minnesota Cash In?

With Matthew Stafford re-signing with the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has become one of the most sought-after names ahead of free agency. The Vikings face a ticking clock to find a trade partner before the franchise tag deadline on March 4. If no deal materializes, Minnesota is likely to let Darnold hit free agency, where he’s expected to draw significant interest.

According to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, the Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams pushing to acquire Darnold. Pauline reported on March 1 that Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is actively working to trade for the 27-year-old quarterback. “After losing out on Matthew Stafford, what will the Las Vegas Raiders do next? … People close to Sam Darnold tell me that Raiders coach Pete Carroll will work to make a move to acquire the quarterback from the Vikings,” Pauline wrote. He also noted that Minnesota is considering a tag-and-trade scenario for Darnold, similar to the Packers’ move with Davante Adams a few years ago.

While there’s speculation that the Raiders could trade up in the draft to select a quarterback, this year’s quarterback class is thin, with only Cam Ward projected as a potential first-round pick. Given the high demand for quarterbacks, teams like the Giants, Steelers, Titans, Browns, Jets, Colts, and Raiders have all been linked to Darnold in some capacity.

Carroll has made it clear that he wants to win immediately with the Raiders, not embark on a long-term rebuild. “We’re starting right now going for it immediately. We don’t have some timeline five or six years down the road. That’s not what we’re thinking. We’ve got to go after it and build this team as quickly as we can,” Carroll said during his introductory press conference.

For the Vikings, the clock is ticking. A handshake deal must be in place by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to allow Minnesota to apply the franchise tag to Darnold and facilitate a trade. If no agreement is reached, Darnold could become one of the most coveted free agents on the market, leaving the Vikings empty-handed.