Sam Darnold-Seahawks connections came in hot after the Geno Smith trade, and Seattle may well reside as the 2024 Vikings starter’s most likely destination. But other teams will drive up the bidding.
The Titans have been closely tied to Darnold, as they are not considered likely (via TitanInsider.com’s Terry McCormick) to pursue a reclamation project like Daniel Jones or one of the failed 2021 first-round picks. But Tennessee may not be the only team that pursues Darnold. After being closely tied to Justin Fields throughout the winter, the Steelers are expected to see what it will take to land Darnold.
Pittsburgh is expected to make Darnold an offer, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. PFR’s No. 1 free agent, Darnold will almost definitely cost more than Fields. And the Steelers going from a veteran-minimum contract and a rookie-scale deal at QB to Darnold would be an amazing jump for a team that has not paid top-tier money at the position since the 2010s.
Fields, however, remains the focus for Pittsburgh, Russini adds. Jets interest in Fields has built since the Combine, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. The Steelers hold more than $63MM in cap space; the Jets check in at just more than $51MM.
Fields would bring scheme familiarity and a lower price tag, but the Jets have gained steam as a suitor. New York’s interest, as the team is not going to be a Darnold suitor for obvious reasons, may be heavy for Fields, with Russini adding the Jets are viewed as team showing “strong” interest. We heard over the weekend the Jets would be a top threat to the Steelers’ effort to re-sign Fields. That appears quite real. The Jets going from Rodgers to Fields would mark a passing downgrade, but the latter is only going into his age-26 season. He is two years younger than Darnold and clearly still has fans in NFL front offices and on coaching staffs.
The Steelers losing out on Fields could drive them to make a genuine push for Darnold, but they could also merely pivot to Russell Wilson, whose market should not rival Fields’ — the Steelers’ 2024 depth chart notwithstanding — or perhaps Aaron Rodgers. The polarizing veteran is unlikely to land in Pittsburgh, per the Pat McAfee Show‘s Mark Kaboly, but the veteran Steelers reporter indicates he could be an option.
The Falcons have not yet budged on Kirk Cousins, intending to (for now, at least) keep him as their backup. Cousins would be a Wilson-like option, as another team would be paying him, for 2025 should he be released. Wilson has spoken with the Steelers this offseason but has long hovered as plan B, and now that Smith has reunited with Pete Carroll, one other option is off the table. Thus far, we have not heard serious talk of a potential Seahawks-Wilson reunion.
Darnold’s price tag impacting the Steelers’ ability to build around him and Fields’ struggles as a passer do not place the Steelers in a great spot here. They do have a strong defense, one Rodgers could conceivably complement, as we suggested back in December. (Though, an upper-crust Jets defensive nucleus just went 5-12.) But the Steelers have not won a playoff game since 2016. That raises the stakes for them to identify the right player this offseason. If a Fields second season is not in the cards, paying more for Darnold appears on the radar.
This is the correct move. It won’t have to be overly expensive on a per year average as I’m sure he’s looking for guaranteed money. If they can procure another receiver he can be solid with them. Another lineman wouldn’t hurt, either.
500 maybe.
I’d think Pit will consider bringing back Daniels depending on his health
Done…DK Metcalf.
Jets need to focus on fields imo
Too much drama under Mike T for even allies like Russ Wilson and Fields to want to stay
Drama loves company, or something like that… sign Aaron Rodgers and draft Will Howard
I really don’t like the idea of being tied longterm to a cinder block like Darnold
You dont need a paragraph break after ever sentence. Your statements are not that insightful or poignant.
Idk why
But that really
Triggers low iQ people
They have the 5th highest amount of cap space available. Unless they pay a good chunk in a signing bonus then any chance of getting a starting CB and #2 WR are going to get tougher
Enter DK Metcalf.
Darnold may be a good fit for Arthur Smith’s offense, in that the reports of tension between him and the QBs were that Smith wanted them to run the plays he called (including progressions but NOT audibles, and off-platform stuff only when plays broke down). Darnold seems a better fit for that than Russ or Justin. Also, probably a 3-4 year deal with moderate guarantees gets it done. So, maybe Sam plus a rookie (eg,Howard or Slough).
Per Schefter DK Mecalf to the Steelers
Darnold is not worth 3-4 years at 40m per. He stunk in last 2 games to end Vikings season. Has happy, nervous feet and inaccurate under pressure. Bring back Russ. It wasn’t his fault defense was giving up 30 points per in the 5 game losing streak to end last season. Steelers should have won in Baltimore in December to clinch division except for turnovers. Post season would have played out differently.
It’s amazing how many people gloss over that their defense stunk and is why the losing streak happened. I’ve never seen a Steeler defense get run on like that.
Yeah, I’m going to call cap on Diana and whoever told her to Tweet this nonsense. Darnold behind that offensive line would be high comedy.