Former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has a new home — and, possibly, a chance to start.
Darnold agreed to a reported one-year, $10 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, who faced a sudden void at quarterback following longtime starter Kirk Cousins’ decision to join the Atlanta Falcons.
The 26-year-old Darnold joins a Minnesota quarterback room otherwise occupied by journeyman Nick Mullens and 2023 fifth-round pick Jaren Hall. The Vikings hold the No. 11 pick in next month’s NFL Draft.
The Vikings mark the fourth team for Darnold, whom the Jets drafted third overall out of USC in 2018. He enters 2024 with a 21-35 record as a starter and 63 touchdown passes against 56 interceptions across stints with the Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.
The Jets traded Darnold to the Panthers in 2021 after three underwhelming seasons, then drafted Zach Wilson second overall a few weeks later. The Jets granted Wilson permission to seek a trade this offseason after a similarly unsuccessful three-year stint.
Darnold passed for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in 10 games, including one start, in 2023, his lone season with San Francisco, where he backed up Brock Purdy.
Quarterback became a revolving door for the Vikings last season after Cousins, their starter for six years, suffered an Achilles tear in Week 8. Mullens threw eight interceptions in his three starts, all losses, while Hall failed to throw a touchdown pass in his two starts.
Josh Dobbs, who went 2-2 as Minnesota’s starter, is set to become a free agent once the new league year begins Wednesday afternoon.
Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, reached a four-year, $180 million contract ($100 million guaranteed) to lead an Atlanta offense packed with playmakers including running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London.
Minnesota, too, boasts premium pass catchers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, which could help Darnold get his career back on track.
The Vikings also agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $7 million deal with dual-threat running back Aaron Jones, according to NFL Media. The NFC North-rival Green Bay Packers cut the 29-year-old former Pro Bowler on Monday.
The Vikings would likely need to trade up to select one the draft’s top quarterbacks, which include USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy also improved his chances of being a top-10 pick after a strong NFL combine.
Other quarterback draft options include Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix.
The Chicago Bears (No. 1 overall pick), Washington Commanders (No. 2), New England Patriots (No. 3) and Giants (No. 6) are each expected to explore drafting a quarterback, as are the Denver Broncos, who pick directly behind the Vikings at No. 12.
