The Las Vegas Raiders have several options for attacking their quarterback positions this offseason. While the draft is an intriguing possibility, there appears to be growing speculation that the team will aim to find their starting quarterback through free agency.
Sam Darnold, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, is the only free agent quarterback with the potential to be a franchise player. He’s 27 and just had his greatest season as a pro. However, if the Raiders want him, they will have to spend some substantial money.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report believes that Las Vegas should sign Darnold to a three-year, $120 million contract.
“The Las Vegas Raiders have both the money to burn and a renewed desire to win after some organizational changes,” Kay wrote in his February 18 column. With Tom Brady teaming up with a new group of wealthy owners, the Raiders have the financial resources to make an impact in free agency. The franchise also hired Pete Carroll, a 73-year-old head coach, indicating that Vegas does not intend to rebuild for an extended period of time.
That’s a high sum to pay, but if Darnold performs like he did in 2024 over the next three seasons, he’ll be a bargain at $40 million per year.
Sam Darnold Could Be A Good Fit With Chip Kelly.
Signing Darnold would not have made sense if the Raiders had retained Antonio Pierce as head coach and Scott Turner as offensive coordinator. It’s apparent that the quarterback’s performance depends on having a great offensive mind calling plays.
The Raiders hired Pete Carroll as head coach and Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator. While Carroll has a defensive background, he has coached some very talented quarterbacks and should be familiar with Darnold given their USC connections.
Kelly has been calling plays and developing quarterbacks for more than 20 years. Kay mentioned that he would be a good fit with Darnold.
“It doesn’t hurt that Las Vegas also courted Chip Kelly to run the offense,” Kay pointed out. “SI.com’s Albert Breer termed the possible Darnold-Kelly combo a’really excellent fit,’ a pairing that could see the 27-year-old quarterback improve on his 66.2 percent completion rate, 4,319 passing yards, and 35 touchdowns from 2024.
“Although it would likely cost the Raiders somewhere in the $40 million per year range to get Darnold’s signature, that’s a price worth paying if he instantly turned around a downtrodden squad that has suffered since Derek Carr’s departure.”
Darnold Is Not A Sure Thing
Darnold demonstrated last season that he can, at the absolute least, be a top-tier starting quarterback in the right system. However, he performed poorly in the Vikings’ two most important games of the season.
Sure, he can play well when the lights aren’t as bright, but the ultimate goal is to win playoff games, especially when a quarterback is paid $40 million each season. Darnold has only started one playoff game and did not perform well at all.
Now, this was his first postseason game, so he might still improve in tougher situations, but it’s something the Raiders should consider before signing him.