Vikings Favored to Land Rams QB
The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation for next season remains uncertain, with the possibility of continuity or major changes. At least one of Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy is expected to stay on the roster, but oddsmakers suggest Darnold is more likely to leave—especially with growing speculation that Matthew Stafford could be on the move from the Los Angeles Rams.
With the Rams granting Stafford permission to explore trade options ahead of free agency, sportsbooks see Minnesota as a prime destination. On February 20, SportsBettingAG listed the Vikings as the frontrunners to land Stafford at +300 odds, ahead of the New York Giants (+400) and the Las Vegas Raiders (+500).
Los Angeles is reportedly seeking to trade Stafford, which opens the possibility of Minnesota using the franchise tag on Darnold before orchestrating a deal to send him to the Rams. Stafford still has two years left on his $160 million contract, while Darnold is projected to command a four-year, $160 million deal if he enters free agency unrestricted.
Though Darnold, at 27 years old, is a decade younger and coming off a strong season, Stafford brings a decorated résumé, including multiple Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl victory. Darnold, drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018, had struggled early in his career but revitalized his reputation with Minnesota in 2024.
Over his career, Stafford has amassed 59,800+ passing yards and 377 touchdowns, cementing himself as one of the league’s top quarterbacks. His connection with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell—who was Stafford’s offensive coordinator during the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl-winning season—adds further credibility to the trade rumors.
Acquiring Stafford on a short-term deal would give the Vikings a veteran leader for a 2025 playoff push, while also allowing McCarthy additional time to develop into the team’s future franchise quarterback.
Leave a Reply