9:20pm: The Commanders are also in talks with Darnold, NFL.com’s Peter Schrager tweets. That would seem a less enticing fit, due to the team being expected to draft a passer at No. 2 overall. Though, that is not a lock. And the Commanders, Sam Howell’s status notwithstanding, are kicking the tires on adding Darnold to Kliff Kingsbury‘s offense.
8:13pm: Sam Darnold has an interesting decision to make. Two teams in need of at least a bridge starter — the Vikings and Broncos — are pursuing him. Both have made offers, per the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin.
After spending last season as the 49ers’ backup, the former No. 3 overall pick profiles as a lower-cost option for a team in need of a reset. Both Denver and Minnesota qualify, given Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins‘ respective exits. With Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew committing elsewhere, options have thinned a bit in this market.
[RELATED: Broncos, Vikings On Radar For QB Trade-Up]
Darnold-to-Denver would probably make him the favorite over Jarrett Stidham to replace Wilson on a full-time basis. But the Broncos’ draft plan introduces a variable. Then again, the Vikings are now in the same boat post-Cousins. Both teams figure to be closely connected to QBs in this draft, and Darnold will be cognizant of that. But starting jobs, especially with the Raiders snagging Minshew, are running out. Darnold seems like he will be the bridge in Denver or Minnesota soon, however.
Immediately linked to Darnold in the aftermath of Cousins’ Falcons decision, the Vikings will need a lower-cost option in 2024. They are about to eat $28.5MM in dead money stemming from Cousins’ last contract. A disagreement on guarantees last year nixed another Cousins extension, leading to Minnesota using void years to make his 2023 cap hit work. Although the Vikings pursued their six-year starter and drove up the Falcons’ price, Cousins is still bolting for Georgia.
The team that misses out on Darnold here would have the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota and Joe Flacco (though, probably not in Denver’s case) still available. The Raiders are also planning to cut Jimmy Garoppolo on Wednesday; the six-year 49ers starter would stand to be an option as well, but Darnold — who is still just 26 — looks to be the teams’ top priority as of Monday night.
Ez choice. Vikings.
Indoor stadium. No stand out defenses. Weapons galore. Gotta try and play yourself into the baker situation.
Sure the pack and lions are good, but I think I would take my chances against them rather then the chargers and chiefs.
Baker already extended with the Bucs the other day ♂️
Try reading, he said baker situation. Like baker turned a 1 year into a really nice contract.
It’s pretty desperate and sad when Sam F’n Darnold is desirable. It’s only March and the Broncos and Vikings are already scrambling.
Darnold isn’t terrible tho. And the market is a landslide. Who’s even left to be a bridge? Garapolo. Drew lock. Mariota. Darnold is better than Jimmy and Marcus. Lock already played for Denver lol
He’s pretty awful.
Flacco enters the discussion
Jameis Winston?
Whoever doesn’t land Darnold can have Zach Wilson.
Am I wrong but doesn’t Zach Wilson have more career wins as a starter then Justin Fields?
Vikings have a solid defense and Jefferson in his peak. Seems like the best option. Plus you won’t play Mahomes twice. It’s a win win
So a couple of scouting draft profiles on Sam Darnold align with the draft profiles for Jayden Daniels. Tight window passes, forcing throws, trying to create, both have strong football IQ, and need work on pocket presence.
The Commanders could be looking at a veteran presence for a rookie QB. Possibly let the rookie sit for a year with a veteran that had to work through similar issues.
I watched Darnold fill in for Purdy when Baltimore blew out the 49ers. Darnold has a cannon for an arm (much better than Purdy), and was accurate in the pocket. But once he had any pressure he folded and looked lost.