Vikings QB Sam Darnold Linked to Sleeper Free Agent Suitor

The Minnesota Vikings should expect competition from multiple teams for quarterback Sam Darnold if he hits the open market in March, though there could be a surprise or two waiting for them as well. The New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers are all selecting outside the top two in April’s NFL draft. Any could come with a strong offer to Darnold in the range of $40 million per season, which may be enough to lure the QB out of Minnesota and too much for the Vikings to match considering J.J. McCarthy’s presence on the roster — even if they would prefer to bring Darnold back. However, Jared Stillman of The Game Nashville suggested Wednesday, Jan. 29, that the Tennessee Titans profile as a surprise suitor for Darnold if they decide to go a different way with the No. 1

“If the Titans walk out of the first two nights of the draft with Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter AND Sam Darnold as their QB, they will be on the right path,” Stillman said.

Hunter, a dual-threat wide receiver/cornerback combo and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner out of Colorado, is the top-ranked player on the big board of ESPN’s Mel Kiper. Carter, a pass rusher out of Penn State, is No. 2 on that list, while quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Cam Ward (Miami) come in at fourth and fifth, respectively. Tennessee also has more than $50 million in salary cap space at its disposal as of Wednesday, which ranks 10th in the NFL. That kind of money will allow for the Titans to make a competitive offer to Darnold, even if three or four other teams are interested — including the Vikings.