As the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings, Sam Darnold recently had the best season of his seven-year NFL career in 2024, earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Prior to the 2024 season, Darnold agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings. The former No. 3 overall choice led Minnesota to a 14-3 record through 17 games of the regular season, completing 66.2% of his pass attempts for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Despite having a strong body of work overall in 2024, Darnold had a few underwhelming outings towards the conclusion of the year. After losing to the Detroit Lions in Week 18 and losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round, the Vikings lost the NFC’s top seed.
The Vikings could exercise the franchise tag on Darnold to keep him around for the 2025 season. But if they don’t make that move before the March 4 deadline, he will officially hit the free-agent market. According to betting odds, one team stands above the rest as the favorite to land Darnold in 2025. Bet365 gives the Las Vegas Raiders +200 odds to sign Darnold this offseason, leading the Pittsburgh Steelers (+250) and Minnesota Vikings (+325).
With the transition to coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Raiders could finally solve their QB issue in free agency by signing Darnold. Las Vegas was 30th in QBR in 2024 (40.4), and Darnold’s 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdown throws for the Vikings both ranked fifth in the league. And in Vegas, Kelly could scheme for Darnold’s arm talent, while also using his mobility to attack the edges,” Bowen writes. Darnold, 27, will play for his fifth NFL franchise in 2025 if he doesn’t re-sign with the Vikings.
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