Sam Darnold’s free-agent options: Which teams make the most sense and why?

Though Sam Darnold’s final two performances of the season revealed some weaknesses in his game, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback will be coveted this offseason.

Darnold, 27, threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, both career highs. According to Pro Football Focus, his big-time throw rate ranked sixth in the NFL among 25 qualified quarterbacks. His EPA per attempt ranked 11th.

Two factors favor Darnold ahead of free agency. First, the free-agent quarterback class is comprised of journeymen and aging veterans. Second, the quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class are not as heralded as those in years past.

The Vikings still have the franchise tag at their disposal. It’s a move that might make sense if Minnesota prefers to recoup draft capital in the present — and if another team wants to keep Darnold from reaching the open market.

So who might be interested in the quarterback after a career season? Here are five reasonable possibilities, why they could make sense and why they might not.

Sam Darnold has been voted NFL’s Most Improved Player by the PFWA.

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— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 24, 2025

Las Vegas Raiders

Why it would make sense: No quarterback-needy team has more cap space than the Raiders. They have about $90 million of room in 2025 and almost $180 million in available spending for 2026. Additionally, newly hired head coach Pete Carroll has experience with well-traveled former first-round picks. (See: Geno Smith.) Quarterback will be a priority for Las Vegas after two seasons of Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O’Connell, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer.

Darnold, meanwhile, would almost certainly be drawn to the prospect of learning from and spending time around Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. If the size and length of the contract are Darnold’s ultimate focus, few teams have the resources necessary to put together a better financial package.

Why it wouldn’t make sense: Darnold’s first five NFL seasons taught him the importance of a committed organization. The Raiders have made the playoffs only twice since 2002 and haven’t reached the divisional round since then. Adding Brady and hiring Carroll might indicate growth for Las Vegas’ leadership structure, but the proof of progress calls for action over time.

The Raiders could also be in the market to draft a quarterback. They have the sixth pick, and Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward could be in play. For those two to transition well, or even for a free-agent signing like Darnold to flourish, the Raiders must fortify their skill player group alongside tight end Brock Bowers.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Why it would make sense: Earlier this week, Steelers team president Art Rooney II told reporters, “We’ve got to address this quarterback position.” Rooney kept the door open to re-signing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who are set to become free agents. “I think my preference would probably be to have something more than a one-year (deal) in place next time around,” Rooney added. That’s likely what Darnold will be seeking.

Pittsburgh has around $40 million in cap space. Head coach Mike Tomlin’s culture is a draw for players. Signing Darnold would prevent the Steelers from potentially having to move up in the draft for a quarterback.

Why it wouldn’t make sense: Wilson and Fields are former starters. Bring back one of them, and it’s difficult to envision Pittsburgh paying a premium for another free-agent quarterback.

Also, the Steelers’ offensive talent is lacking. The mercurial George Pickens headlines their receiving corps. Their best offensive lineman is center Zach Frazier, but the rest of the group needs upgrading.

Would Darnold feel confident enough about Arthur Smith’s scheme and play calling after his last two seasons, one with Kyle Shanahan and the other with Kevin O’Connell? Smith succeeded in Tennessee with Ryan Tannehill, so it’s possible.

Seattle Seahawks

Why it would make sense: Let’s begin with newly hired offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. As the San Francisco 49ers’ passing game coordinator in 2023, Kubiak worked closely with Darnold, who backed up 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy that year. The Seahawks also have a significant number of offensive weapons: DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Kenneth Walker III, among others. That combination — familiarity and skill players — could intrigue Darnold.

Seattle, meanwhile, won’t have to search far and wide for data points on Darnold’s season. In Week 16 at Lumen Field, Darnold orchestrated a game-winning drive, capped by exceptional pocket movement and a long touchdown pass to superstar receiver Justin Jefferson.

The Seahawks could save $31 million on the cap by cutting quarterback Geno Smith. Doing so would mean they’d have to find a new starter.

Why it wouldn’t make sense: The Seahawks’ cap situation for 2025 complicates matters. They’re about $27 million over the cap. To acquire Darnold, Seattle would first have to part ways with Smith and then do some gymnastics with its books.

There are countless levers the Seahawks could pull. Restructuring defensive linemen Leonard Williams and Dre’Mont Jones would help. Veteran receiver Tyler Lockett also has a sizable contract that would be worth a deeper analysis. Notably, though, Seattle’s cap space increases drastically in 2026, meaning the Seahawks could backload Darnold’s deal to secure his services.

New York Giants

Why it would make sense: Few teams are more desperate for an answer at quarterback than the Giants. Eli Manning retired in 2019, and New York has been in the market for a legitimate successor ever since. The Giants also have more than $40 million in cap space in 2025 and close to $140 million for 2026.

General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are on thin ice, having gone 9-25 over the previous two seasons. Would they be willing to bet their futures on a rookie quarterback?

Why it wouldn’t make sense: This list is long. Darnold already spent three years in New York. After the Jets experience, would he entertain the idea of returning and playing for a team that is similar in its process?

The Giants might have a one-man explosive play rate in receiver Malik Nabers, but their offensive line has been inconsistent for years. The potential for discontinuity might also raise red flags for Darnold, who worked with multiple play callers in New York and Carolina.

Another Vikings quarterback, Daniel Jones, likely apprised Darnold of the Giants’ culture under Schoen and Daboll. Among the five teams on this list, the Giants might be the most similar to the infrastructure he separated from when he left the Panthers.

Minnesota Vikings

Why it would make sense: This all hinges on how the Vikings view young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is recovering from a torn meniscus. If Minnesota thinks he’s close to ready, paying a premium for a free-agent quarterback is not the wisest roster-building strategy. For Darnold to return, McCarthy would have to be further away from readiness, and the competition for Darnold in the market would have to be less than what many expect.

In that case, though, returning to the Vikings could make sense. The Minnesota locker room loved Darnold, and it would be beneficial for him to spend another season in O’Connell’s system working with quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.

Why it wouldn’t make sense: Minnesota has plenty of roster needs — and only four draft picks to fill them. Using a major chunk of its salary-cap space on a quarterback would limit the Vikings’ chances at fortifying the interior of the offensive line and ensuring their secondary does not lose a step.

Still, moving on from Darnold comes with no guarantees. McCarthy is unproven, and expecting another quarterback, including Jones, to produce the way Darnold did is a tall order. That said, O’Connell and the Vikings staff have built a fairly high offensive floor with Jefferson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and receiver Jordan Addison to ease the transition, even for a youngster like McCarthy.

(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)