The Minnesota Vikings have surprised many this season, as they are 6-2 after eight games and currently hold second place in the NFC North. After losing two straight games, the Vikings bounced back with an important win against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. They will now head to EverBank Stadium to face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 10.
A big reason for the Vikings’ success has been the performance of quarterback Sam Darnold. After J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick, suffered a season-ending meniscus injury during training camp, Darnold stepped in as the starting quarterback and has been playing exceptionally well this year.
The 2018 No. 3 overall pick has thrown 17 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions through eight games in 2024. He also has a passer rating of 107.8. Darnold has shown great composure, accuracy, and has helped take the Vikings’ offense to a higher level.
If Darnold keeps up his strong performance, he is likely to have a lot of suitors in free agency next offseason and should secure a lucrative contract. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggests that the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants could be among the top teams interested in Darnold when free agency begins in 2025.
“Tennessee would be a logical landing spot, as head coach Brian Callahan previously served under McVay protege Zac Taylor. Darnold’s fit with Brian Daboll and the Giants wouldn’t be as clean, though I expect New York to exhaust all options if and when it pulls the plug on Daniel Jones.”
The Titans had hoped second-year quarterback Will Levis would improve this season, but that hasn’t happened so far. Although Tennessee will likely have a top-five pick in the draft and may focus on selecting a young quarterback, Darnold could serve as a solid bridge player and a mentor to the new quarterback the Titans choose in the first round.
In New York, the Daniel Jones situation has not gone well. The former Duke standout has struggled since signing a four-year, $160 million extension in 2023. According to Spotrac, the Giants have the option to move on from Jones this offseason, meaning his time with the team could be coming to an end in 2025.
While Darnold would be an upgrade over Jones, the Giants may want to avoid signing a veteran quarterback and instead focus on drafting a new quarterback for the future. However, the pressure to win now could lead them to offer Darnold a significant contract.
