Las Vegas is all about high stakes and bold bets, but the Raiders? They’ve been rolling snake eyes for years. After a brutal 4-13 season, cycling through quarterbacks like a desperate gambler chasing losses, it’s no surprise Davante Adams cashed out. He said, ‘Hell, nah!’ to the combo of Desmond Ridder and Aidan O’Connell. We do see that, right? That’s just not a championship chasing mentality, relying on those two.

But now, with Tom Brady in the ownership mix. There’s hope. Hope is that, somehow, if none of the 5 franchises above them pick him, the Raiders deal their No. 6 card and cash in on Sheduer Sanders in the draft. Well, that’s a lot of ‘ifs’. That’s why there’s a question popping: Are they ready to take a big swing, or will they play it safe?

Enter Sam Darnold, the latest name floating around the Silver and Black rumor mill. If that doesn’t scream The Hangover: Raiders Edition, I don’t know what does. Once hyped as a franchise savior, Darnold might have endured more bumps in his career than a ’70s Charger. And that’s a compliment to his tuff-ness. He, for sure, did exceed fan expectations as a Viking in the 2024 season.

But is he the answer for Vegas, or just another stopgap on their never-ending search for the guy?

Okay, we all are entitled to our opinions. And there’s a divide on Sam in Sin City. Some believe the Raiders should look to the draft for their next QB. But momentum is building for a different plan: dropping serious cash on a proven veteran. Alex Kay of Bleacher Report even suggested a projected three-year, $120 million deal for Darnold, writing, “The Las Vegas Raiders have both the money to burn and a renewed desire to win after some organizational changes.”

That’s a hefty price tag, but if Sam Darnold plays like he did in 2024, $40 million per year could end up looking like a steal. In the NFL.com’s all-59 starting QB rankings, Sam finished at a solid 13th. 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns? YUP! That was him. Sneaking the Vikes into the playoffs, but he couldn’t get them to Skol. Even a conference title would have cut it. But, it is what it is. So, now, a Las Vegas show? Why not?

Of course, none of this would have made sense if Antonio Pierce and Scott Turner were still running the show. Darnold needs the right system to thrive, and that’s exactly what the Raiders are trying to build. With Pete Carroll as head coach and Chip Kelly calling plays, there’s suddenly a real argument that Vegas could be the perfect landing spot. “SI.com’s Albert Breer called the potential Darnold-Kelly combination a ‘really good fit,’” Kay noted, emphasizing the offensive scheme that could maximize Darnold’s strengths.

But let’s be real—Darnold is far from a sure thing. He proved last season he can be a high-end starter when everything clicks. The problem? The lights don’t get any brighter than Las Vegas. And when the Vikings needed him most last year, he folded. One playoff game, one forgettable performance. Now, the Raiders are talking about giving him $40 million a year to take the reins. That’s a serious gamble. Either ways, Sam is on his way out. Handing it over to JJ McCarthy. That’d be another storyline altogether (or at least, that’s the hope).

No more Sam Darnold show, it’s JJ-time!

Kevin O’Connell didn’t hold back when the Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy last year. “Our fan base and everyone should be excited about the fact that we’ve got our young franchise quarterback in the building.” Well, a torn meniscus delayed that excitement, but guess what? JJ’s back, and the Vikings are making it clear—this is his team now.

The writing’s on the wall for Sam Darnold, even after he balled out last season with a career-high 35 touchdowns. Cold, right? But this is the NFL. Loyalty lasts as long as your cap hit makes sense. Reports say the Vikings still believe McCarthy is their guy, and he’s expected to be ready for OTAs. That’s huge.

And if he looks the part, Minnesota isn’t about to throw $40 million a year at Darnold just to keep the seat warm. Spotrac estimates that’s his market value, and with the 2025 QB draft class looking meh, Darnold could cash in elsewhere. Minnesota, though? They’re playing the long game.

Now, don’t get me wrong—letting Darnold walk isn’t an easy call. He just gave them a full season of actually good quarterback play. But if the Vikings believe in McCarthy, there’s no reason to sink their cap into a veteran QB. That money can go toward keeping Byron Murphy Jr. or bolstering the roster around their future franchise guy.

And McCarthy? He’s ready to prove himself. “All I can ask for is a fair opportunity,” he said on The Rich Eisen Show. That opportunity is coming, and if he delivers, the Darnold era in Minnesota will be nothing more than a solid one-year rental. It’s JJ time.