Sam Darnold’s resurgence in 2024 was one of the most remarkable career turnarounds in NFL history. Once labeled a draft bust, the former No. 3 pick put together an incredible season, making him one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason.
A return to the Minnesota Vikings remains a possibility after his breakout year, but Darnold could have options elsewhere as teams look for a reliable quarterback to lead their offense.
Why Sam Darnold Is a Coveted Free Agent
Darnold’s 2024 season was nothing short of spectacular. After struggling through stints with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers, his move to Minnesota under head coach Kevin O’Connell changed everything.
Taking over the starting role, Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record while putting up career-best numbers. He ranked fourth in the league in passing yards (4,319) and touchdowns (35), while also posting career highs in completion percentage (66.2%) and passer rating (102.5).
His performance vaulted him to No. 7 on PFSN’s list of the top 121 free agents, making him the highest-ranked quarterback available. While some question whether he can replicate his success in a different system, his 2024 campaign has ensured that teams are willing to take a chance on him.
PFSN’s Ben Rolfe summed it up:
“Two bad performances under the bright lights of what was essentially two playoff games are going to have a major impact on how Darnold is viewed this offseason, especially with fans and media outside of those who regularly saw him play.”
Still, Darnold finished 12th in PFSN’s QB+ metric, placing him among the league’s better quarterbacks.
MORE: PFSN’s Top 121 Free Agents
“If the narrative that develops this offseason is that Darnold should not be a starter anywhere, that is somewhat unfair. He entered the playoffs with just four performances graded as D+ or below compared to six B- or above grades,” Rolfe added.
As a result, he could be in line for a three to four-year deal, similar to the one Baker Mayfield got after his resurgence in 2023.
“Mayfield’s contract with the Buccaneers could set the framework for what we might see for Darnold. Mayfield’s deal was a three-year contract worth $100 million in total, with $40 million guaranteed at signing.”
5 Potential Landing Spots for Darnold
Quarterback-needy teams will be lining up to pursue Darnold this offseason. With the 2025 draft class looking thin at the position outside of Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, veteran options like Darnold become even more valuable.
Here are five teams that make the most sense for the former Vikings starter.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Russell Wilson and Justin Fields experiment started strong but ended in disaster, with the Steelers dropping their final five games of the season. As a result, neither quarterback is a fan favorite heading into 2025.
Head coach Mike Tomlin could pivot to Darnold as a fresh option under center. With George Pickens already on the roster and the team adding DK Metcalf this offseason, Darnold would have no shortage of weapons in Pittsburgh.
Rolfe also predicted Darnold landing with the Steelers, writing:
“If Wilson and Fields are not coming back, then the best free-agent quarterback is Sam Darnold. Playing for the Vikings last year, Darnold produced his best season, finishing as the QB12 in our QB+ metric — above both Wilson and Fields.”
The Steelers’ biggest concern was offensive help, but with Metcalf now in the mix, they seem committed to surrounding their next quarterback with the right pieces.
Seattle Seahawks
This one might come as a surprise, but the Seahawks are clearly in transition. After going 10-7 and missing the playoffs on a tiebreaker, Seattle traded Metcalf and cut franchise icon Tyler Lockett.
The biggest move, however, came when they dealt Geno Smith—who actually outpaced Darnold’s 2024 passing yardage by three feet— to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick. With Smith gone, the Seahawks are in the market for a new signal-caller, and Darnold could be the answer.
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerging as a top target and a strong defense behind him, Darnold might find a situation similar to the one he thrived in with Minnesota.
New York Giants
Choosing Daniel Jones over Saquon Barkley didn’t work out too well for the Giants. Now, they need stability at quarterback.
Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers already looks like a star, but he needs a reliable quarterback to maximize his potential. After New York’s disastrous 2024 campaign, Darnold would be a major upgrade over Jones, who finished dead last (32nd) in the QB+ metric.
The Giants own the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but if they don’t love Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, they could pivot and pair Nabers with a proven veteran like Darnold.
New York Jets
Wouldn’t this be a reunion for the ages?
Darnold’s first stint with the Jets didn’t go as planned, but both he and the franchise are in very different situations now.
The Jets tried the Aaron Rodgers experiment, but it backfired spectacularly. Meanwhile, Darnold transformed into a legitimate starter and even flirted with MVP contention last season.
New York still boasts a top-tier defense and has a true No. 1 wideout in Garrett Wilson. With defensive-minded head coach Aaron Glenn taking over, the Jets could use a steady quarterback to stabilize the offense. A Darnold return might just be the answer.
Minnesota Vikings
A return to the Vikings isn’t likely—but it’s not impossible either.
The way the season ended left a bad taste in fans’ mouths, but it shouldn’t overshadow the remarkable 14-2 start through 17 weeks. Darnold helped keep the Vikings in contention after Kirk Cousins’ departure, and the defense played at an elite level.
Minnesota appears set on moving forward with rookie J.J. McCarthy as its quarterback of the future. However, if O’Connell—fresh off a Coach of the Year award—decides to prioritize continuity, bringing Darnold back for another run isn’t out of the question.