Analysis

Schefter reports it as a three-year, $100.5 million deal, including $55 million guaranteed. Darnold will take over as the starting quarterback for a new-look Seattle offense that's trading QB Geno Smith (to the Raiders) and WR DK Metcalf (to the Steelers) in exchange for draft picks. The team also has a new offensive coordinator, with Klint Kubiak replacing Ryan Grubbs, but there's still a lot of work to be done, namely upgrading a lousy offensive line and finding another receiving threat alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Analysis

The Seahawks are is now in need of a new starting quarterback after moving Smith to the Raiders on Friday for a 2025 third-round draft pick. Condotta calls Darnold an "obvious target" for Seattle following the move but notes that the organization could also pursue other free-agent options. Darnold didn't have the franchise tag applied by Minnesota following his career-best 2024 campaign and is slated to be an unrestricted free agent upon the start of the new league year Wednesday

Analysis

Darnold will officially be allowed to test free agency, which kicks off at the start of the new league year March 12, though Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reports that both sides remain mutually interested about potentially re-upping on a short-term deal. After a career-best 2024 campaign, however, in which he threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, Darnold's demand on the open market could exceed Minnesota's best offers, especially with 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (knee) waiting for a chance to vault into the starting role after having missed his rookie year due to injury. Darnold has reportedly drawn interest from teams including the Giants and Raiders, and with Matthew Stafford having re-signed with the Rams, he figures to be viewed as an increasingly intriguing option for QB-needy clubs.

Analysis

Darnold broke through with a career-best season in 2024, registering a 35:12 TD:INT while throwing for 4,319 yards and completing 66.2 percent of his pass attempts over 17 regular-season games. However, he struggled in a Week 18 loss to the Lions that cost Minnesota a first-round playoff bye, throwing for just 166 yards, then had a subpar performance in the team's NFC wild-card loss to the Rams, throwing for 245 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Darnold joined the Vikings on a one-year contract last March, so he's slated to be a free agent and has drawn interest from the Giants and the Raiders, among other teams. However, Schefter notes that Minnesota remains interested in re-signing Darnold.

Analysis

The Vikings have until Tuesday to place a franchise/transition tag on Darnold. They reportedly want him back, depending on the price, which means they may also consider a tag-and-trade if they sense the market for his services is especially strong. It sounds like the scenario in which he actually ends up playing for the Vikings in 2025 is one where he hits the open market but is disappointed by the available offers and returns to Minnesota as one of the lesser-paid starting QBs in the league. Darnold likely would have to compete with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy (knee) in Minnesota, whereas the Raiders or Giants might consider offering assurances about starting in 2025.

Analysis

While his final stat line looks serviceable enough, it belies the uneven nature of Darnold's season-ending performance and the amount of duress he frequently found himself under from a Rams defense that collected a whopping nine sacks against him for a net loss of 82 yards. Darnold couldn't facilitate anything more than a 64-yard effort -- that total belonging to T.J. Hockenson -- for his pass catchers, and although he targeted the duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison a combined 16 times, that only yielded a modest 8-87-0 line. Darnold's fumble, which came with just over four and a half minutes remaining in the first half, also had disastrous consequences, as it was scooped up and returned 57 yards for a touchdown by Jared Verse to extend Los Angeles' lead to two scores at the time. Darnold rightfully received plenty of credit for the Vikings' standout regular season by putting together a career-best 2024 campaign in which he completed 361 of 545 passes for 4,319 yards with a 35:12 TD:INT and added a 67-212-1 rushing line, all across 17 games. However, he looked like a different quarterback in back-to-back lopsided losses to the Lions and Rams to close out Minnesota's season, and with unrestricted free agency looming for him at the start of the new league year, the topic of Darnold's future will be one of great intrigue considering the presence of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy (knee) on Minnesota's roster.

Analysis

Darnold picked the worst time to revert to his New York Jets form in Sunday's battle between juggernauts for both the NFC North crown and the No. 1 seed in the conference. His offensive line did him no favors while star wideout Justin Jefferson committed multiple drops, so the quarterback's horrid stat line can't be entirely placed on his shoulders. It is worth noting that Darnold had his ankle rolled up on by a teammate late in the contest, but he did not miss any game action after getting up gingerly. Minnesota's signal-caller will have to rally quickly to get his offense back to previous levels as the No. 5 seed Vikings prepare to visit the Rams in the wild-card round of the playoffs next Monday.

Analysis

The Vikings' offense failed to record points on its first two drives, but Darnold then proceeded to lead the team on four scoring drives across their next five possessions. He had a number of impressive throws, highlighted by 31 and 18-yard touchdown strikes to Jalen Nailor and Jordan Addison, respectively. Darnold recorded five completions of at least 20 yards while racking up his highest yardage total of the season, and he now has at least three touchdowns in three of his last four games.

Analysis

Darnold lifted his team past Seattle late in the fourth quarter when he stepped up in the face of heavy pressure before rifling a bomb to Justin Jefferson for the game-deciding score. The late-blooming Darnold had already tossed two scores in the first half of Sunday's win, resulting in the signal-caller's sixth game recording three or more total touchdowns this season. The 2018 first-round selection is now up to 3,776 passing yards and 32 touchdowns (with 11 interceptions) through 15 starts with Minnesota. Darnold remains an appealing fantasy asset heading into next Sunday's home tilt against the Packers.