Sam Darnold’s free agency: 5 landing spots for resurgent QB
MINNEAPOLIS (BVM) — Many think that J.J. McCarthy’s preseason injury opened the door for Sam Darnold to have a career resurgence in Minnesota this season.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell let it be known that wasn’t quite the case. His comments make the team’s situation behind center an interesting one this offseason.
“Rightly so, everybody was talking about J.J. as the first-round pick and an exciting young player we were fired up to have in our organization,” O’Connell told Dan Patrick on Thursday. “Sam Darnold was having a really good camp, and it was showing up, day in and day out.
“I would probably say Sam Darnold would’ve been our starting quarterback, just out of the experience and knowing that I am very much constantly aware of the minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day development of quarterbacks.”
Playing for his third team in as many seasons, Darnold threw for career-highs with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. Minnesota went 14-3 and reached the playoffs, while Darnold was a Pro Bowler for the first time.
As McCarthy, the No. 10 overall choice of the 2024 NFL Draft returns and is healthy, the Vikings will have a decision to make. Including Minnesota, here are five teams who could sign Darnold.
