NFL Draft Rumors: Teams Feel Sam Darnold on $40M Contract 'Better Bet' Than Rookie QB

Going into a year with a lot of questions about the quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class, Sam Darnold could be an attractive alternative for teams seeking a starter at the position next season.

Per The Athletic's Zak Keefer, there's a feeling among some quarterback-needy clubs that Darnold would be a "better bet" on a contract worth $40 million annually in free agency than a rookie in the 2025 draft class.

The most recent big board from B/R's NFL scouting department only has Miami's Cam Ward (No. 8 overall) and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders (No. 9) as the only quarterbacks with a first-round draft grade.

Things can change as the pre-draft process really gets into full swing in the coming months, but the rankings do illustrate that there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for the signal-callers in this year's class.

The Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints are among the teams that could be looking for a quarterback this offseason.

We can almost certainly rule out the Jets because a reunion with their failed-former first-round pick doesn't seem appealing to either side. The Browns almost certainly can't afford another expensive veteran quarterback given Deshaun Watson's contract status.

The Saints could go either way because they have to hire a new head coach and need to figure out if they are ready to embrace a rebuild after years of pushing money into the future.

Darnold's performance as the starter for the Minnesota Vikings this season has significantly increased his value across the league. He enters Week 15 tied for third in the NFL in passing touchdowns (28), ranks sixth in passing yards (3,299) and seventh in completion percentage.

The context of how Darnold has resurrected his career could give some teams pause. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is regarded as one of the best offensive play-callers in the league; he is throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson; and he is playing behind a top-10 offensive line.

For example, Kirk Cousins had a better QBR (63.2) last year with the Vikings than Darnold currently does (59.0).

A more-obvious comparison for Darnold is Baker Mayfield with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023. Mayfield, who led the Bucs to an NFC South title and playoff win, had as many touchdown passes (28) and interceptions (10) in 17 games as Darnold does through 13 games.

The Buccaneers rewarded Mayfield with a three-year, $100 million contract in the offseason. Darnold should seek more because he is having a better season, but interested teams should also beware that they can't provide him with the same infrastructure as Minnesota.

The Vikings are a wild card in this situation because their success this season with Darnold, who is only 27, could make it hard to justify not bringing him back despite drafting J.J. McCarthy with the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

If Minnesota makes the playoffs and loses its first game with Darnold playing poorly, it could be easier to move on and hand the keys to McCarthy. If he leads them on a deep postseason run, the offseason discussion will be very interesting.