The Minnesota Vikings have held their cards close to their chest this offseason regarding their future at the quarterback position. While many people expect 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to be the Vikings starting quarterback in 2025, the door has not been completely shut on bringing back Sam Darnold. Though, it's not exactly wide open either.
Assuming McCarthy will be Minnesota's starter next season, which seems like the most reasonable choice, there will be teams out there who could use Darnold's help. It also just so happens that this is one of the weaker quarterback free-agent classes in recent history, leading to a potentially large pool of teams seeking to bring Darnold in.
While there seem to be some obvious landing spots for him like the New York Jets or Las Vegas Raiders, who are some teams flying under the radar as potential future homes for Darnold?
Dark horse landing spots for Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold in 2025
Indianapolis Colts
The Anthony Richardson experiment in Indianapolis is starting to look like a failure. While Richardson has shown incredible flashes of potential, he has also shown immensely embarrassing moments, paired with the fact that his health is now a major red flag.
Last year left a sour note in Colts fans' mouths, as the team collapsed during their playoff push, and Richardson was a major factor in that collapse.
He does not seem to have a long leash in Indianapolis, and the team may be looking to add insurance at the quarterback position, so Darnold could be just the man for that job.
While Darnold could very easily ink a large contract this offseason, the way that he ended the 2024 campaign could have his potential contract numbers up in the air, leading him to take a reduced amount from what was projected for him after Minnesota's first 16 games.
The hit that Darnold's contract may have taken opens up the door for a team like Indianapolis to potentially swoop in and sign him, and with a solid set of weapons on the Colts, it would be a hard job for him to pass up.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans currently hold the No. 1 pick in this year's NFL Draft, leading many to believe that they could go for a quarterback with that selection. But the 2025 quarterback class of prospects leaves a lot to be desired, which leaves the door open for Tennessee to go another way with the selection.
Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter had an incredible 2024 season and a standout playoff run with the Nittany Lions, putting himself firmly in the position to be taken first overall in the upcoming draft ahead of quarterbacks like Shadeur Sanders or Cam Ward.
If the Titans were to go for another position besides quarterback with the No. 1 pick, Darnold could be a great option as a bridge quarterback for the franchise and has shown flashes that he may be franchise quarterback level as well.
Tennessee may look to avoid the path that the Pittsburgh Steelers took in 2022 when they selected Kenny Pickett in the first round, which many people saw as a reach at the time, and they were ultimately correct. With an iffy quarterback class, it may not be that surprising if the Titans look to the free-agent market for their quarterback in 2025, and Darnold would be at the top of that list.
Los Angeles Rams
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has not indicated whether or not he plans on retiring this offseason yet, but at 37 years old, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise to see him walk away from the game.
Even if Stafford doesn't retire, there's possibly a slim chance that Darnold could join Los Angeles as the quarterback in waiting, though that seems rather unlikely. The biggest factor that could draw Darnold in is the man running the show for the Rams: head coach Sean McVay.
Darnold had a career renaissance in 2024 thanks to head coach Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, and it's well-known that he is a branch in the McVay coaching tree. Darnold knows that McVay can scheme an offense that will work wonders for him and could lead to the veteran signal-caller joining Los Angeles.
Darnold is also a California product, being from Capistrano Beach in Orange County and attending the University of Southern California, which is even more reason to put stock in his potential signing with the Rams.
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