Sam Darnold Hits Free Agency After Career Year – But What’s Next?
MINNEAPOLIS – After a career-best season, Sam Darnold is set to test the waters of NFL free agency. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback delivered a breakout campaign in 2024, racking up 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns while completing 66.2% of his passes—all career highs.
His numbers ranked fifth in touchdown passes, eighth in attempts, and ninth in completions across the league. With that kind of production, Darnold appears poised to cash in big when free agency opens.
Darnold Keeps Future Plans Close to the Vest
Since the Vikings’ season ended, Darnold has been thinking about his next move—but he’s not revealing much.
“I’ve put a little bit of thought into it,” Darnold said on ‘SiriusXM NFL Radio’ on Jan. 31. “I’m not going to share anything about what I’ve been thinking or, obviously, the conversations I’ve had behind closed doors. There’s a lot that’s going to happen, even after the Super Bowl, so I’m just going to continue to talk to my agent and figure things out from there.”
Darnold’s impressive bounce-back season under Kevin O’Connell turned heads around the league. ESPN’s Matt Bowen highlighted his success but also pointed to some lingering concerns.

“His 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdown throws both ranked fifth in the league,” Bowen wrote on Jan. 29. “His decision-making late in the down is still questionable, and he had a 14.8 QBR over the Vikings’ final two losses. But with his arm strength and mobility, Darnold will have options on the market given the league-wide demand at quarterback.”
Market Outlook: Will Darnold Land a Massive Deal?
Early projections suggested Darnold could command a contract worth over $40 million per year. However, his struggles in Minnesota’s last two games have given some teams pause.
Still, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Darnold could land a deal similar to Baker Mayfield’s three-year, $100 million contract with Tampa Bay. Fowler also identified the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants as potential suitors.
“Several execs have Darnold in that Baker Mayfield range of contracts,” Fowler wrote. “The Raiders and Giants, both picking outside the top two spots in the draft, might need to pay for a quarterback.”
That doesn’t guarantee either team will make a move, but it only takes two bidders to drive up the price.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Darnold may have priced himself out of Minnesota, especially with J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings.
QB Market Dilemma: Where Does Darnold Fit?
The NFL quarterback market is in flux, and teams searching for a long-term franchise QB are facing tough decisions. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe described the situation as a “major dilemma.”
“The 2025 QB draft class lacks a surefire franchise signal-caller, and the veteran market doesn’t have a prized asset, either,” Howe wrote on Jan. 31.
That initially put Darnold at the top of the free-agent list. However, his poor play in Minnesota’s last two losses has shaken some teams’ confidence.
“Sam Darnold was viewed for a while as the best player available,” Howe added. “It seemed like a lock he’d get a contract worth north of $40 million annually, but now teams are wary. It’s unclear how his offseason will unfold.”
Darnold Reflects on His Comeback Season
Despite the uncertainty, Darnold’s 2024 campaign was a personal triumph. He was named Fox Sports Comeback Player of the Year and Most Improved Player by the Pro Football Writers of America.
Reflecting on his season, Darnold credited his mindset and work ethic.
“It was all about taking it one day at a time,” Darnold said. “I know it’s cliché, but that was truly my mindset from the very beginning when we started in April.
“You can get lost in the narratives and everything people say about you—good or bad. For me, it was just about keeping my head down, putting in the work, and focusing on going 1-0 each week. And I think that was the mindset of our whole team this season.”
What’s Next?
As free agency looms, Darnold’s future remains uncertain. Will he land a lucrative long-term deal, or will teams hesitate due to his late-season struggles?
One thing is certain—Sam Darnold’s next move will be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason.