Sam Darnold Free Agency Landing Spots: Five Possible Team Fits

A high quality NFL beginning quarterback? For many of the 12 months, Sam Darnold seemed the half—proper up till he didn’t.

Remnants of Darnold’s frigid end are tough to neglect, pooled round him like a moat due to the importance of the 2 losses to Minnesota, ensuing from his ice-cold performances.

After 13 video games with a passer ranking of 100-plus and 14 wins in his first 16 video games with the Vikings, Darnold crashed within the winner-take-all regular-season finale at Detroit for the NFC North title. He accomplished 18 of 41 passes (43.9%) and averaged 4.05 yards per go with a 55.5 passer ranking. Slightly than the No. 1 seed within the NFC playoffs, the 14-win Vikings packed for a wild-card street recreation in opposition to NFC West winner Los Angeles (in Arizona). Playoff Sam wasn’t a lot better: 25 of 40 and sacked 9 instances.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell proclaimed the Vikings would welcome Darnold again and tried a public-facing protection of Darnold’s nosedive, advising the general public to evaluate the quarterback on his physique of labor within the 2024 season.

Actuality is, Darnold misplaced a major amount of cash in these two highlight video games and enters free company in full turmoil. Groups will view the physique of labor as one factor, and his displaying below the burden of playoff stress as an unforgettable reality.

Can Darnold win video games within the NFL? Definitely. Will he win when it issues? Ehhhhhh.

The very best paths ahead for Darnold are these with out the assure of a No. 1 job. He may do effectively within the position he was signed by the Vikings to fill: bridge quarterback and mentor for first-round choose J.J. McCarthy.

Starter cash disappeared in Detroit, and no matter was left went up in flames in Arizona in opposition to the Rams.

Listed below are 5 groups that might dial up Darnold as a stopgap in 2025.

1. Tennessee Titans

No person expects the Titans to torpedo the AFC South after posting the league’s worst document in 2024. And no one is aware of if Will Levis will get one other probability to show he can deal with the pains of the place at this stage. Darnold seemed able to serving to Tennessee with a 3-0 document in opposition to the division final season and a win over the Titans in Nashville. He’d be aligned with one other coach from the Sean McVay teaching tree—Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, O’Connell in Minnesota—with Brian Callahan, who helped develop Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.

2. Cleveland Browns

Kevin Stefanski took the Browns to the playoffs with Joe Flacco contemporary from the sofa in 2023. With a fortified offensive line, Darnold may maintain up effectively till Cleveland has a greater choice. However he’s extra of a managed, anticipatory passer who benefited from indoor environs in Minnesota. He doesn’t have the rocket-launcher throwing arm of Flacco or Jameis Winston or the mobility to do a lot exterior the pocket.

3. Indianapolis Colts

This isn’t an ideal match, contemplating the Colts designed an offense for a 6-foot-4, 250-pound quarterback who’s a vastly higher runner than passer in Anthony Richardson. However GM Chris Ballard promised competitors, and the 2025 draft must be about playmakers, go rush and offensive line assist.

4. New York Giants

Brian Daboll could make it work with a play-action passer. Darnold on a no-promises contract would a minimum of give the Giants choices getting into the draft.

5. New York Jets

New coach Aaron Glenn authored the Week 18 recreation plan—then as Lions defensive coordinator—that resulted in Darnold’s free company demise. However Darnold almost bought the perfect of him in a 31-29 loss to the Lions on Oct. 20.