Quarterback Sam Darnold completely revived his NFL career after his amazing season with the Minnesota Vikings.
In 17 starts, he completed 361-of-545 passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 102.5 passer rating., which led him to making his first career Pro Bowl.
However, after spending the No. 10 pick on quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the 2024 NFL Draft, it's become unlikely the team will bring back Darnold, who's set to become a free agent.
That means one organization will have the opportunity to land him for the right price, and Nick Brinkerhoff of USA Today predicts that it will be the Las Vegas Raiders, who went 4-13 in 2024 and have not had a winning season since 2021 (10-7).
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14).
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
It's an interesting prediction because the Raiders do hold the No. 6 pick in the upcoming draft, but it's no guarantee Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, considered the best quarterbacks available, will still be on the board.
However, it's become clear that Las Vegas needs to make big changes at the position because their leading passer from 2024, Garnder Minshew, started nine games completing 203-of-306 passes for nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
A Darnold signing will certainly come with a hefty price, though, as Spotrac predicts him to sign a contract earning $40.1 million annually.
