ESPN’s Benjamin Solak recently highlighted the Las Vegas Raiders as a possible landing spot for Minnesota Vikings quarterback. However, this doesn’t guarantee they’ll pursue him. According to league rules, Darnold can negotiate an extension with the Vikings before March, which would prevent other teams from making offers. If he reaches free agency, he’s expected to draw interest from multiple teams, given the demand for quarterbacks and the limited options in this offseason’s free agent pool and draft class. Solak also mentioned the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers as strong contenders for Darnold, assuming the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns—holding the first two draft picks—select Cam Ward from Miami and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado in some order.
Analyzing the possibilities, Benjamin Solak speculated that if the Raiders don’t acquire Sam Darnold, they might instead sign two former Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks—Aaron Rodgers from the New York Jets and Russell Wilson from the Steelers—on one-year contracts. Solak noted, “Wilson wasn’t an adequate bridge quarterback for the Steelers this season, and given his below-average performance, he likely won’t suffice for the Raiders either. However, with both Rodgers and Wilson on one-year deals, the odds of functional quarterback play double—and the chances of chaotic locker room dynamics increase tenfold.”