As news around the Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation continues to emerge, Sam Darnold’s future with the team appears increasingly uncertain. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Sunday, February 9, that the Las Vegas Raiders are likely to target Darnold if he hits free agency. “The one team I would watch with Sam Darnold moving forward would be the Las Vegas Raiders,” Schefter told Mike Greenberg ahead of Super Bowl 2025 between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. “I think at some point in time, they’re likely to have some interest in trying to bring Sam Darnold to Las Vegas.”
Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy is also set to resume football activities in the coming weeks and “should be ready to roll by OTAs in May,” according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Signing Darnold to a major extension and retaining McCarthy would hinder Minnesota’s ability to rebuild its roster, due to financial restrictions from free agency and limited draft picks (the Vikings currently have only four picks). The team would likely need to strengthen the offensive line and secondary if it hopes to replicate or even approach its 14-win season next year. Without the use of the franchise tag, there’s a good chance that Darnold will depart Minnesota despite an impressive age-27 season, where he passed for over 4,300 yards and 35 touchdowns.
In this scenario, Minnesota is likely to pursue a veteran quarterback to compete with or support McCarthy. Rapoport and Pelissero believe that Daniel Jones, who the New York Giants released during the first year of his $160 million extension, could be a possible target after his time with the Vikings late in the previous season. “If Darnold leaves, the Vikings will add a veteran insurance policy, with Daniel Jones among the logical options after spending the last half of the season in Minnesota,” Rapoport and Pelissero wrote. Another potential option is four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, who will not return to the New York Jets next season. However, Rodgers is likely seeking a starting role, which could push Minnesota lower on his list of destinations when free agency opens.