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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler continues to hear that the Minnesota Vikings won't mortgage their future to re-sign impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold. Fowler also says that there wasn't much momentum coming out of the NFL Combine this week that the Vikings will use the franchise tag on Darnold, who should have multiple suitors if he reaches the open market. The New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers could all be involved for a QB that won 14 games for the Vikes in 2024 and is the best option at the position on the market by a wide margin. Aside from Darnold, there's a real possibility Minnesota re-signs Daniel Jones (knee) as insurance for J.J. McCarthy (knee) in case last year's first-rounder needs more time. Fowler also points out that the Vikings interviewed Miami's Cam Ward at the Combine. All signs are pointing to Darnold not returning to Minnesota in 2025.

The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed say that the Las Vegas Raiders prioritized trading for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford because they aren't very high on Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent QB Sam Darnold or the other potential free agents such as the Pittsburgh Steelers' Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. However, according to league sources, there are members of the coaching staff who prefer adding a veteran signal-caller to taking a dice roll on a rookie QB. It makes sense because of the fact that this year's QB draft class isn't perceived to be very deep, and the only options worth drafting in the first round could be gone by the time the Raiders make their pick at No. 6 overall. The Raiders want to win now, but Darnold, who is coming off a career year with Minnesota, might be too expensive for their taste after he collapsed in the final two games in 2024.

The Las Vegas Raiders are now expected to investigate veteran quarterback options that include free-agents Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Sam Darnold, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Raiders recently met with quarterback Matthew Stafford and reportedly offered him a two-year deal worth up to $90-100 million guaranteed, but Stafford instead chose to restructure his deal to stay in L.A. With Stafford now off the table, Vegas will turn to their backup options, including both of the Pittsburgh Steelers' impending free-agent signal-callers. Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew III are currently on the roster, but the new Raiders coaching staff prefers a veteran with experience, and Minshew is expected to be released. The most obvious fit is Wilson due to his history with head coach Pete Carroll in Seattle, but he's also 36 years old and fizzled out down the stretch in his first year in the Steel City.

Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold was a name brought up to ESPN New York's Jordan Raanan on Friday as a potential option for the New York Giants. The G-Men were interested in Darnold last offseason before he signed a one-year contract with the Vikings, but he was too expensive for what they were looking for. Now, New York is looking for a starter after cutting Daniel Jones midway through the 2024 season. In addition to Darnold, Raanan also mentions veterans Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers as options the Giants will be looking at after Matthew Stafford restructured his deal with the Los Angeles Rams on Friday. Darnold, 27, fell apart in the final two games of the year for Minnesota, but he still had the best year of his career in 17 regular-season starts, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 TDs and 12 interceptions. He'd be a pretty nice upgrade over what Jones was during his Giants tenure.

If the Minnesota Vikings bring back impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold, ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that they'd be blowing up their plans for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) and their entire roster. Putting the franchise tag on Darnold this year and again next year would cost around $40 million in 2025 and around $48 million in 2026. If they reach an extension with him, he'd likely have a salary cap number around $28 million in 2026. In comparison, McCarthy's cap numbers over the next three years are around $5 million, $6 million and $7 million. Meanwhile, receiver Justin Jefferson's 2026 and 2027 camp numbers are around $39 million and $43.5 million, respectively. Minnesota obviously believed enough in McCarthy being their future franchise QB when they took him 10th overall in 2024, but then he required season-ending knee surgery and Darnold had a career year. Based on this logic, it seems likely the Vikes will let Darnold walk in free agency and turn to McCarthy in 2025.