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Now that the Seattle Seahawks have opened up a quarterback destination by trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, quarterback Sam Darnold is not expected to re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings, sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Minnesota is reportedly now focused on other options they've been pursuing in recent weeks, which include soon-to-be free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers and potentially re-signing Daniel Jones. The Vikings remain committed to last year's first-rounder, J.J. McCarthy (knee), as the future under center in Minnesota, but they want to have an insurance plan in case McCarthy isn't quite ready to take over the starting gig in 2025 after missing all of his rookie season due to a torn meniscus suffered in the preseason. Darnold had a career year in 2024 and could command a deal worth up to around $40 million per year on the open market.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Minnesota Vikings and impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold continue to negotiate this week after the Vikings decided not to place the franchise tag on him by the deadline this past Tuesday. Minnesota continues to say that they would like to re-sign Darnold for less than the franchise tag ($40 million), which would make it manageable to build the team around him in 2025. It's a delicate situation, as last year's first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (knee), who the Vikings still have faith in as their future franchise signal-caller, will be back this year after missing all of 2024 due to a season-ending knee injury that he suffered last preseason. Their willingness to bring Darnold back could mean they'd be fine having McCarthy sit and learn as the backup in 2025 before finally taking over in 2026. Either way, Darnold's best path to his highest fantasy ceiling in 2025 will be to stay in Minnesota.

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead hasn't completely closed the door on wide receiver Cooper Kupp returning in 2025, but like head coach Sean McVay, he said it's unlikely. "There is a scenario, but when you get into probabilities that would be the least likely. I don't want to tell you 'no' today and then next week he's a Ram. You see what we're trying to do. We're working to try to find a partner and a next chapter for Cooper and ourselves," Snead said. The 31-year-old Kupp is due $29.7 million in the final two years of his deal, so to facilitate a trade, the Rams are likely going to have to eat a large chunk of that cost. If it's looking unlikely for a trade, L.A. could straight up release him as well. After winning the NFL's receiving Triple Crown in 2021, Kupp hasn't played more than 12 games in a season due to injuries. He could still have plenty of fantasy appeal on a different team, but his 2025 fantasy value will depend on where he lands.

ESPN's Turron Davenport and Jeremy Fowler write that the Tennessee Titans will have some interest if quarterback Sam Darnold reaches free agency next week, but only at the right price -- in the $30 million per year range, according to a team source. And if the Titans were to sign a veteran QB like Darnold in free agency, they could still draft Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders in the first round of this year's draft. The Titans were enamored by Ward when they talked to him at the NFL Combine last week, and many believe he'd be their top choice if they don't trade out of the top overall pick. Former second-rounder Will Levis, who struggled in his opportunity as the starter last year, will get an opportunity to compete for the job with whomever they bring in. Adding a QB in free agency would only increase the odds of Tennessee trading out of the top spot for more draft capital this year and in years to come.

The Minnesota Vikings officially did not place the franchise tag on impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold by Tuesday's deadline, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, the two sides will continue to work towards a deal that is best for both sides. Although the 27-year-old could return to Minnesota after a career year in 2024, it's probably only likely to happen if his market in free agency isn't as robust as expected. The bottom line is that the Vikings don't want to hold back last year's first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (knee) and would probably prefer to bring Daniel Jones back as an insurance policy at a much cheaper cost. After the Los Angeles Rams restructured QB Matthew Stafford's contract, Darnold is the top available signal-caller, with his most likely landing spots being the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants. For fantasy purposes, obviously staying in Minnesota as the starter would be the most ideal for Darnold.