Sam Darnold’s Free Agency: Will He Land with the Las Vegas Raiders?

A Standout Season in Minnesota After a stellar campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, quarterback Sam Darnold is set to enter free agency when the market officially opens in March. The former USC Trojans star revitalized his career in Minnesota, leading the team with an impressive season that put him among the top free-agent quarterbacks available this offseason.

Raiders Express Interest in Darnold According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams eyeing Darnold as a potential starting quarterback. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Schefter revealed that the Raiders could make a move for Darnold, emphasizing that the team sees him as a viable candidate to lead their offense next season.

“I think the Raiders are going to make a play for Sam Darnold,” said Schefter. “Let’s see whether Minnesota lets him go or not, but I think he’s a real candidate to be the Raiders quarterback.”

Minnesota’s Decision: Darnold or McCarthy? The Vikings now face a critical decision. They drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which could indicate their intent to move on from Darnold. However, given Darnold’s success in Kevin O’Connell’s system, Minnesota may attempt to re-sign him before he officially hits free agency.

Raiders’ Offseason Overhaul The Raiders have undergone significant changes this offseason, beginning with the hiring of former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll. Along with Carroll, the team brought in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, making him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL at $6 million per year, and retained defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

With a revamped coaching staff in place, the Raiders are looking to rebuild after a disappointing 4-13 season. The quarterback position remains their biggest question mark heading into the offseason.

Raiders’ Cap Space and Draft Position Las Vegas currently holds the second-most cap space in the NFL, behind only the New England Patriots. This financial flexibility allows them to pursue Darnold aggressively in free agency, should they decide he is the right fit for their team.

Additionally, the Raiders hold the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. They could opt to draft a quarterback to build around for the future, similar to how the Atlanta Falcons surprised many by selecting Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 in 2024 despite signing Kirk Cousins to a massive deal.

Could the Raiders Sign Darnold and Draft a Quarterback? One possibility for Las Vegas is signing Darnold while also drafting a young quarterback to develop under him. This approach would provide them with an experienced leader while ensuring long-term stability at the position.

Darnold’s market value has increased significantly after his career-best 2024 season, in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. His performance earned him a finalist spot for the AP Comeback Player of the Year, though the award ultimately went to Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals.

What’s Next for Darnold? NFL free agency does not officially begin until March 10, leaving Darnold’s future uncertain. Whether the Vikings re-sign him, or he finds a new home with the Raiders or another franchise, one thing is clear—Darnold has positioned himself as one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in this year’s free-agent class.