Raiders Eye Quarterback Options: Sam Darnold a Potential Free-Agent Target
With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, the Las Vegas Raiders face a pivotal decision about their quarterback future. Following a Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Raiders improved their draft position to No. 6. However, landing elite prospects like Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward may still be out of reach unless the team pulls off a blockbuster trade—a scenario many analysts see as unlikely.
As a result, the Raiders may need to pivot to free agency to address their quarterback concerns, and one intriguing option could be Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. NFL analyst Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team suggested that the Raiders’ significant cap room—reportedly $107 million—makes them a viable landing spot for the 27-year-old signal-caller.
“This could be an attractive opening if [Tom] Brady and Mark Davis are willing to spend assets and the $107 million in cap space they have this offseason to help chase someone like Sam Darnold,” Valentino wrote.
Darnold is coming off a career-best season in 2024, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while completing 66.2 percent of his passes. His strong performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and solidified his status as a legitimate starting quarterback in the league.
The Vikings, however, may let Darnold walk in free agency as they look to transition to young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, leaving Darnold as one of the top free agents on the market this March.
For the Raiders, Darnold represents a potential immediate upgrade at quarterback without sacrificing draft picks in a trade. Las Vegas could also utilize its expansive cap space to build a more competitive roster around him.
If the Raiders were to sign Darnold, it would likely signal a shift toward short-term competitiveness, especially given the team’s struggles in 2024. With a strong supporting cast, Darnold could help the Raiders contend in the stacked AFC, but questions remain about whether he would be viewed as a long-term solution or a bridge quarterback.
The Raiders’ offseason plans will undoubtedly be among the most closely watched storylines in the league. Whether they pursue Darnold, make a bold trade in the draft, or explore other avenues, the pressure is on for Las Vegas to solve its quarterback conundrum and chart a new course for the franchise.
