When the Minnesota Vikings opted not to place their franchise tag on quarterback Sam Darnold this week, it was initially believed that his market might be weaker than expected. However, that perception shifted on Friday night after the Las Vegas Raiders made a surprising move, trading a third-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for quarterback Geno Smith.
The Raiders had been in search of a veteran quarterback, with Darnold thought to be a top target for their 2025 free-agent plans. Now, following the trade, reports suggest Darnold is likely to join the Seahawks on a multi-year deal, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Swapping Smith for Darnold makes sense for Seattle, as Smith was entering a contract year with a hefty $25 million cap hit for 2025. While an extension was on the table, Seattle reportedly declined Smith’s asking price of $45 million annually. Darnold, at almost seven years younger, is expected to sign a three-year deal around $40 million per year.
While the stage seems set for Darnold to join the Seahawks, CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell offers a bold prediction: Darnold could return to the New York Jets, the team that drafted him third overall in 2018.
Podell argues that Darnold might be enticed by the new Jets regime, led by head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. The team now boasts a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver in Garrett Wilson, a strong running back duo in Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, and has invested heavily in the offensive line. With new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand joining from the Detroit Lions, where he worked under the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, Darnold could see the Jets as a fresh opportunity to rebuild his career.
Despite the improvements in New York, Podell questions whether Darnold could truly be the savior for a franchise still struggling to find stability. After an impressive 2024 season with the Vikings, where Darnold thrived under Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell and played with top-tier talent like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, Podell suggests it may be a stretch to envision Darnold returning to the Jets as the team’s solution.
Meanwhile, Seattle is undergoing changes too, having recently released franchise icon Tyler Lockett and fielded trade inquiries for DK Metcalf. However, with a strong running back duo in Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet, plus promising young receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks still offer a much more appealing landing spot for Darnold—unless he chooses to return to Minnesota.
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