Sam Darnold put together the best season of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, and he’s managed to turn it into a huge payday in free agency.
Per numerous sources, Darnold has agreed to a three-year, $110.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks during the “legal tampering” period of free agency. The deal includes $55 million in guaranteed money.
Last offseason, the Vikings signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million deal in a year where he was expected to keep the proverbial seat warm for rookie J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy was injured in the preseason and missed the whole year, and Darnold seized the opportunity that was presented to him. He threw 35 touchdown passes while setting career highs in pretty much every meaningful passing category, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 mark and a playoff berth.
Darnold struggled in the regular season finale and the Vikings’ Wild Card playoff loss, but it appears the Seahawks liked what they saw from him enough to make him their quarterback for their short-term future.
The Seahawks became a player in the quarterback market late last week when they agreed to trade their starter from last year, Geno Smith, to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders were, reportedly, interested in Darnold’s services, but either couldn’t or wouldn’t agree to any sort of tag-and-trade deal with the Vikings while they could still put the franchise tag on him. Now, Darnold is heading to the Pacific Northwest.
This means we can also look forward to the Sam Darnold Revenge Game™ next season, since the Vikings. . .as is tradition. . .are scheduled to play a game in Seattle in 2025.
Congratulations to Sam Darnold on getting what the kids call “the bag” in free agency, and best of luck to him going forward. . .except, of course, when he plays the Vikings.