The Minnesota Vikings have a tough decision to make this offseason regarding the future of the quarterback position. Sam Darnold had a career year in 2024 and led the team to a 14-3 regular season record. However, Minnesota used the No.10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury but is ready to take over as the starter in 2025.
If the Vikings opt to move forward with McCarthy and let Darnold walk, FantasyPros predicts the veteran signal-caller will sign with his former team, the New York Jets, in free agency.
The Vikings have expressed their desire to proceed with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback. Darnold will look to build off the momentum from his stellar 2024 season elsewhere. I’d argue the New York Jets would be a great destination for the journeyman.
It’s important to preface that Darnold may not be interested in a reunion with the Jets. After being drafted by New York in 2018, Darnold struggled to get acclimated to the NFL. The team moved on from him a mere three years later. That said, if the veteran quarterback is willing to put these issues behind him, this move could be very beneficial for his personal career and fantasy football alike. The Jets boast an interesting group of weapons, headlined by the likes of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall.
Darnold was drafted by the Jets in 2018 with the No.3 overall pick. The 27-year-old spent just three seasons with the team, posting a 13-25 record with 45 touchdown passes to 39 interceptions.
Darnold has bounced around the league since leaving New York, as he had an unsuccessful two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers and served as Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco in 2023 before reviving his career in Minnesota in 2024.
Though the Jets have been dysfunctional over the last few seasons and didn’t do a great job of supplying Darnold with talent during his stint with the franchise, a reunion could make some sense for both sides. New York is set to move on from Aaron Rodgers and will need a quarterback, and Darnold is the top free-agent signal-caller on the open market.
The Jets’ offense has some exciting talent, led by wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall. The team also has a top-ten selection in April’s draft. Darnold could have success with that supporting cast and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, who worked with Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson during his time with the Detroit Lions.
Signing Darnold won’t be cheap. Pro Football Focus projects the Pro Bowler will land a three-year deal worth $123.75 million with $70 million guaranteed, which averages to $41.25 million annually. Spotrac believes the former Jet will receive a $160.4 million contract over four seasons, which is $40.1 million per year.
New York is currently set to have around $23 million in cap space but will save $9.5 million when Rodgers comes off the books as June 1st designation. The Jets will also save $36.1 million if they cut wide receiver Davante Adams as a post-June 1st release.
Overall, Sam Darnold isn’t a high-level starting quarterback. However, he had a fantastic 2024 campaign and could be a nice fit in New York’s new-look offense that has a few dynamic pieces and a plethora of promising and experienced coaches.
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