Sam Darnold’s Redemption Tour Could Land Him With Raiders in Stunning Free Agency Move**
After years of bouncing between teams, Sam Darnold revitalized his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, throwing for 35 touchdowns and 4,319 yards while leading the team to a 14-4 record and a playoff berth. Now, the former No. 3 overall pick—once labeled a draft bust after rocky stints with the Jets, Panthers, and 49ers—is poised to cash in on his breakout season.
According to Scott Engel of *NJ.com*, the Las Vegas Raiders are the frontrunners to sign Darnold in free agency, which would mark his fifth team in eight NFL seasons. The Raiders, coming off a dismal 4-13 season, are desperate for stability at quarterback after cycling through Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Jimmy Garoppolo in 2024. New head coach Pete Carroll, fresh off replacing Antonio Pierce, faces pressure to inject life into a stagnant offense.
While Darnold thrived in Minnesota’s system, the Vikings may struggle to retain him amid cap constraints and their commitment to developing J.J. McCarthy. For the Raiders, signing Darnold represents a low-risk, high-reward gamble: his 66.2% completion rate and improved decision-making in 2024 suggest he could finally deliver on his early promise. If Carroll can harness Darnold’s potential, this move could redefine both the quarterback’s career and the Raiders’ trajectory in a wide-open AFC West.
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