The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves in a challenging position in one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, and the absence of a clear starting quarterback for the future is looming large over the organization. Enter Sam Darnold, a name that seems to be emerging as a potential solution worth exploring for the Raiders.
Sitting at the bottom of their competitive division, the Raiders are grappling with a situation further compounded by their draft position—not projected to snag a top-five pick. However, the winds of change are blowing through the franchise, particularly with minority owner Tom Brady taking a more active role in personnel decisions. With the recent hiring of head coach Pete Carroll, the expectation is that the team is aiming for a swift turnaround rather than a prolonged rebuilding phase.
Carroll, who will be turning 74 at the start of the 2025 season, will take on the mantle of the oldest head coach in the league, just ahead of Andy Reid. History suggests that he knows how to get the best out of quarterbacks, as evidenced by his success with Russell Wilson and Geno Smith in Seattle. Could Darnold be the next in line to shine under Carroll’s oversight? There’s a strong argument to be made that signing Darnold could be a savvy move for the Raiders that wouldn’t necessarily break the bank.
Now, while Darnold may not have been a name on everyone’s radar for a comeback year in 2024, his revival deserves attention. After enduring rocky spells with the New York Jets and the Carolina Panthers, he’s finally found his stride during a stint with the Minnesota Vikings. With his successful season now behind him, Darnold is suddenly a coveted option in free agency—a stark contrast to earlier years when he was seen as more of a gamble.
Despite his regular-season success not translating to the playoff stage, Darnold’s newfound prominence puts him at the forefront of the quarterback market. The outlook for his contract could be fascinating. While some market predictions may have him hovering around the $40 million mark, it seems more realistic to anticipate a deal in the $20 to $30 million range, considering both the limited interest from teams in need of a reliable starter and the competitive draft class.
Onto the financial side of things—the Raiders are sitting pretty in terms of salary cap flexibility for 2025. Currently, they boast the second-most available cap space in the league, clocking in at over $95 million, even before considering any restructurings or the anticipated cap increase set to be announced on February 19th. This means the Raiders could pivot quickly to bolster their roster. While the lack of a starting quarterback on a rookie contract presents its own challenges, the reality is that this draft class doesn’t promise an immediate solution at the sixth overall pick. That makes Darnold a compelling option, especially given his reasonable projected cost.
It’s also worth noting that the Raiders’ roster appears more talented than last season’s record might suggest. The quarterback woes plagued them, with Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew unable to deliver the desired results. By adding Darnold to the mix, complemented by a few astute free-agent signings and a solid draft, the Raiders could find themselves in wild-card contention in the AFC. With playmakers like Brock Bowers on offense and Maxx Crosby anchoring the defense, they already possess essential pieces—they just need a strong supporting cast.
If Carroll can secure a veteran quarterback who has finally found his footing, expect him to have the same transformative impact he has had on past signal-callers. While winning the AFC West may be ambitious given the strength of rivals like the Chargers, Broncos, and Chiefs, the Raiders could certainly craft a narrative of intrigue—with Sam Darnold as their centerpiece by signing him in free agency. The clock is ticking on this opportunity, and for the Raiders, it’s time to make a decisive move.
