Sam Darnold is the best quarterback available in NFL free agency, with added value with the crop of passers in the 2025 NFL Draft weaker than usual. With numerous teams in the NFL quarterback carousel, one club has emerged as the overwhelming favorite for Darnold.
The general consensus on where Darnold lands has changed considerably within a week. At the NFL Combine, there was speculation that the Pro Bowl quarterback could sign with the Las Vegas Raiders or New York Giants. Days later, a return to the Minnesota Vikings became increasingly likely.
Related: Minnesota Vikings move on from Sam Darnold, targeting new QB
- Sam Darnold stats 2024 (ESPN): 4,319 passing yards, 35-12 TD-INT, 66.2% completion rate, 7.9 yards per attempt, 102.5 QB rating, 212 rushing yards, 1 TD
Then, the Raiders addressed their vacancy with the Geno Smith trade. Meanwhile, New York seems to be focused on Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson while weighing the cost of moving up for the No. 1 pick. As a result, a new favorite has emerged in the eyes of many around the league.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, decision-makers around the NFL fully expect Darnold to sign a multi-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
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There’s mutual interest between the two sides and while the legal tampering period ahead of NFL free agency hasn’t started, clubs do find ways to negotiate contract parameters behind the scenes. Before trading Smith, Seattle reportedly made him a three-year extension offer north of $35 million per season. It stands to reason that a similar caliber of offer could be made to Darnold.
The total guarantees are likely something the Vikings aren’t willing to match, especially if the Seahawks offer is closer to $40 million per season. There have also been NFL rumors that Seattle is hoping that signing Darnold would convince DK Metcalf to back off his trade request.
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If Darnold signs with the Seahawks, he would be reuniting with Klint Kubiak. The duo worked together with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, where Kubiak served as passing game coordinator. He was hired as the Seahawks offensive coordinator earlier this offseason.
As for the Vikings, they would likely receive a third-round compensatory pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if Darnold signs a lucrative contract with Seattle. Minnesota has already pivoted to finding a replacement for Darnold, wanting a veteran to challenge J.J. McCarthy for the starting job in 2025.
