It’s 2025, and the biggest free-agent QB in the market is possibly Sam Darnold. Imagine saying that to someone before 2024—they would have surely made fun of you. But that’s where Darnold has proved everyone wrong with his explosive year in Minnesota. Signed on a one-year deal, Darnold was only seen as a starter until Vikings rookie QB J.J. McCarthy recovered from his season-ending injury. But right now, things have changed drastically after Darnold led the Vikes to a 14-win season against all odds. As he prepares to test the free agency market, the Vikings front office has a decision to make on Darnold’s future.

See, the situation is that sooner or later, the Vikings’ No.10 overall pick, J.J. McCarthy, would return and probably start next season. But before he does come back, the Vikings need to get Darnold’s contract sorted. So, ESPN’s insider Dan Graziano decided to give his take on what he believes could happen with Darnold, “My anticipation on Darnold is that he will probably have a FA market that prices himself out of what Minnesota wants to do… I’ll be surprised if he’s back on the Vikings.” Well, to make it a bit easier for you to understand what Graziano is trying to say. Let me break it down for you.

Graziano thinks the Vikings could offer him a franchise tag with a $40M contract with the hope of either keeping him in Minnesota or trading him later. However, he also predicted that $40M wouldn’t be enough to keep Darnold beyond this season. Considering the Raiders, Giants, Jets ( probably not), and Browns are all looking for a QB. The Vikings could find themselves priced out if they do decide to franchise-tag him.

And the other option is for Darnold to test the free agency market. Probably landing himself a deal like Baker Mayfield’s three-year $100M deal with the Bucs. So, these are the possible scenarios of Darnold’s probable future contract in the NFL, as per Graziano. Now, besides the ifs and buts surrounding Darnold’s contract. Graziano gave his final prediction of the actual deal first-time Pro Bowler Sam Darnold could land from the FA market—a 3-year deal worth $120M.

While Darnold waits for his next lucrative NFL deal, he also decided to share his views on what could happen in the coming days.

Sam Darnold is still nowhere near clarity on his future

The Darnold we are talking about is probably not the one who had just spent a year as a backup QB for the 49ers. This player looks to have found his love for football back after unsuccessful tenures at the Jets, Panthers, and the Niners. Like, would you have imagined him racking up 4,319 passing and 35 TDs while throwing just 12 interceptions on his way to a first Pro Bowl? Probably not. However, Darnold’s insane production of a mere $10M has probably increased his value 10 fold.

So, with his future still undecided, Darnold himself gave an update on what’s going on with his contract, “I’ve put a little bit of thought into it. I’m not going to share anything about what I’ve been thinking or the conversations. I’ve had behind closed doors. There’s a lot that’s going to happen still, even after the Super Bowl. I’m just going to continue to talk to my agent and figure things out there.” But his future wasn’t the only thing Darnold talked about in recent days.

He even shared his thoughts about the amazing comeback year he had in Minnesota, “It was all about taking it one day at a time. I know it’s cliche, and I’ve kind of had that answer a lot, even throughout the season.” Maybe Sam Darnold, who was once picked as the 3rd overall in 2018, has finally found his footing in the NFL. For now, only time will tell whether he can continue this upward trajectory. While earning himself a possible seven-figure contract in the coming days.