The Minnesota Vikings may have a fight on their hands to retain quarterback Sam Darnold, as the Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly expected to make a serious push for him in free agency next month.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders are likely to show significant interest in signing Darnold if he hits the open market and doesn’t agree to a contract extension with the Vikings beforehand.
“The one team I would watch with Sam Darnold moving forward would be the Las Vegas Raiders,” Schefter said ahead of the Super Bowl. “I think at some point in time, they’re likely to have some interest in trying to bring Sam Darnold to Las Vegas.”
Darnold, 27, is coming off a strong 2024 season with the Vikings, throwing for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns under head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. However, his performance dipped in the season’s final games, raising questions about his long-term viability as Minnesota’s starting QB.
The Vikings’ decision on Darnold’s future is complicated by their investment in 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. The young quarterback missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, but the team remains optimistic about his potential as a franchise signal-caller.
Retaining Darnold could cost the Vikings upwards of $160 million, which would significantly limit their ability to address other roster needs in free agency. Trading McCarthy, who is on a more affordable rookie contract, could be an option, but that would mean sacrificing a potentially higher ceiling at the game’s most important position.
The Vikings could also use the franchise tag on Darnold, keeping him in Minnesota for 2025 while they determine the best path forward. But with the Raiders lurking, the Vikings may have to act quickly to secure their quarterback of the future.
