have in-house 25 free agents, and one is apparently the crown jewel of them all: quarterback Sam Darnold.
 against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25189249.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=808,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25189249.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/USATSI_25189249.jpg” alt><figcaption> Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><em>Bleacher Report </em>ranked free agency by each position this week, and when BR’s Gary Davenport arrived at No. 1, the quarterback spot got the nod, and Darnold was coined the “crown jewel.”</p>
<p>“Then there’s the crown jewel of the free-agent market under center. Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 regular season and finished fifth in the league in passing yards and touchdown passes. That gets players paid, especially when they haven’t turned 30 yet,” <a href=)
he wrote.
Darnold produced a magnificent season until the final two games in 2024, delivering 36 total touchdowns and 4,319 passing yards. But Minnesota drafted McCarthy last offseason as its proposed quarterback solution of the future, and most expect him to take the reins next season, not Darnold.
 throws a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24543111_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24543111_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24543111_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt ><figcaption> Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Davenport added, “It shouldn’t come as any huge surprise that quarterback tops this list. It’s the most important position in the NFL, and teams in the market for a new starter (or even a bridge option) have a number of experienced options to choose from […] No team wants to be on the hunt for a quarterback, but 2025 is a good year to have that predicament.”</p>
<p>Justin Fields took home the “best value” title from the BR article.</p>
<p>Head coach Kevin O’Connell commented on his team’s quarterback plans last weekend, a hot topic among purple fans. “We drafted him 10th overall for a reason,” <a href=)
O’Connell told CBS Sports on Saturday about McCarthy, his 22-year-old passer.
 smiles as he leaves the field against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darnten.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=611,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darnten.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/darnten.jpg” alt><figcaption> Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>O’Connell added, “I believe Sam has played himself into being kind of the marquee free-agent quarterback available. I do believe that his teammates and coaches and, our front office, and myself would love to have Sam back in Minnesota. But at the same time we do feel very confident in J.J. McCarthy. He’s healthy.”</p>
<p>Most construed those comments as a commitment to McCarthy and a forecast for Darnold to indeed test free agency. </p>
<p>Too, Darnold posted — what seemed like — a sentimental goodbye note on Instagram late last month.</p>
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<figure><img loading=)
Darnold wrote on January 24th.
The Las Vegas Raiders are the odds-on favorites to sign the crown jewel. Other clubs, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans, could also nibble at Darnold’s free agency.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
