Latest news with #Darnold
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tom Brady Stopped Raiders From Pursuing $100 Million QB
Tom Brady Stopped Raiders From Pursuing $100 Million QB originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Before landing on Geno Smith, the Las Vegas Raiders were seemingly linked to every available quarterback. They even attempted to trade with the Los Angeles Rams for Matthew Stafford. Advertisement Out of the free agent options, Sam Darnold was considered the best. He had a big year with the Minnesota Vikings and led them to the playoffs. He ended up signing with the Seattle Seahawks for just $33.5 million a year, which the Raiders would've easily been able to afford. However, Darnold was actually never a realistic option in Las Vegas. According to The Athletic's Mike Silver, minority owner Tom Brady did not want the team to go after the former USC standout. Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis and minority owner Tom Ward-Imagn Images "The Seahawks' pursuit of Darnold snuck up on many NFL observers and proceeded in rapid-fire fashion," Silver wrote. "While some believed the Las Vegas Raiders would try to sign Darnold, minority owner Tom Brady — a seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback whose opinion held great sway — was not in favor of that approach, according to a source familiar with the franchise's internal discussions. Advertisement "Meanwhile, Smith, seeking a lucrative extension from the Seahawks, reacted coldly to the team's initial offer. The Raiders, having recently hired former Seattle coach Pete Carroll, emerged as a potential trade partner." It's not entirely clear why Brady was against Darnold, but he likely believes that his year with the Vikings was a bit of a fluke. Prior to 2024, Darnold was considered a draft bust who never threw for more than 19 touchdowns in a season. With the veteran replacing Smith on the Seahawks, it'll be easy to figure out which team made the right decision after this season. Related: Darren Waller Reuniting With Raiders Amid Retirement Related: Ex-Raiders HC Jon Gruden Reacts to Damon Arnette News This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking the NFC West's starting QBs: Where does Matthew Stafford stand in 2025?
Ranking the NFC West's starting QBs: Where does Matthew Stafford stand in 2025? Experience, upside, and system fit all play a role in this year's NFC West QB rankings. The NFC West has an intriguing group of starting quarterbacks. On one end, you've got a Super Bowl champ still slinging it at age 37. On the other, a former No. 1 pick is trying to reclaim his spark. Adding to the mix is a former Mr. Irrelevant who just signed a five-year, $265 million contract extension and a one-time top prospect, now a journeyman coming off a career year, who is looking to prove that last season was no fluke. As we head into the 2025 season, the division offers a mix of battle-tested veterans, rising stars, and question marks. So how do these four quarterbacks stack up? Let's break it down and rank the four starters leading their respective clubs. 4. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks Why: Darnold steps in as a placeholder in Seattle after Geno Smith's departure. At 28, the former No. 3 overall pick in 2018 was finally able to put all the pieces together in 2024 having led the Minnesota Vikings, his fourth team in seven years, to a 14-3 finish while recording career-highs in passing yards (4,319), completions (361), completion percentage (66.2), and touchdown passes (35). While the playoffs told a different story, and the Vikings are now ready to go all in with J.J. McCarthy, Darnold has earned himself a more than fair chance to try and show that last season was not a one-year wonder-type deal. 2025 outlook: Seattle, who added Cooper Kupp in the offseason but will now be without DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, will likely lean on its run game and defense. Darnold could surprise Klint Kubiak's offense, but consistency from one good year to another is key here until he shows it; he's the most unproven starter in this division. 3. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals Why: Murray might still have the highest ceiling of any QB in this division, and for the first time in a while, he's entering a season with real momentum. After returning from his ACL injury midway through 2023, Murray finally played a full season in 2024, his first since 2020, and reminded everyone of his dual-threat ability. Despite Arizona's 8-9 finish, Murray had the Cardinals in playoff contention through the first 10 weeks with a 6-4 record. He threw for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns and added 572 rushing yards, his most since his Pro Bowl year in 2020, plus five scores on the ground. 2025 outlook: Now, with a full offseason healthy, year three in Drew Petzing's system, and a core that features second-year WR Marvin Harrison Jr., a consecutive 1,000-yard back in James Conner, and last season's breakout tight end Trey McBride, the table is set. He's a wild card, but if the former 2019 No. 1 overall pick stays healthy and consistent, he could vault up this list fast. 2. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers Why: It's been a remarkable rise for Purdy, from the final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to now one of the league's highest-paid quarterbacks. While he may not have the biggest arm or the flashiest skill set, Purdy has consistently done what many quarterbacks with better tools can't: win. He's already led the 49ers to the playoffs twice, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2023. And while San Francisco's talent-rich roster and Kyle Shanahan's scheme deserve credit, Purdy's efficiency, toughness, and poise under pressure are undeniable. The results last season may not have been the same, but there's no doubt he's shown he can handle the moment and lead his team on any given Sunday. 2025 outlook: Despite the loss of Deebo Samuel, if his supporting cast can stay healthy and he can cut back on turnovers and reclaim his 2023 form, when he led the league in yards per attempt and passer rating while taking advantage of a division that did not have a clear-cut runaway team last year. In that case, there's no reason he can't elevate the 49ers back to playoff contention as well as be viewed as a top-12 QB league-wide. Now with a hefty new deal, the pressure is on to deliver. 1. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams Why: Even at 37, Stafford is still the most proven and complete quarterback in this division. He played in 16 games in 2024 and has missed just three games over the last two seasons while leading the Rams back into contention. He has thrown for over 3,700 yards in each of the past two years and 20-plus touchdowns while cutting back on turnovers despite a young supporting cast. While Cooper Kupp is gone, Puka Nacua continues to break out, Kyren Williams is blossoming, and now Davante Adams is joining the mix, so Stafford is positioned to thrive. His arm talent, experience, and clutch playmaking still separate him from the rest. 2025 outlook: While his 40-plus touchdown passing days might be over, if his arm holds up and Sean McVay keeps dialing it up with a now reloaded offense, Stafford could flirt with a top-10 QB season.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks' Sam Darnold called \
Seahawks' Sam Darnold called "riskiest move" of the offseason The Seattle Seahawks made the decision to sign free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold after trading starter Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. Darnold inked a three-year contract worth $100.5 million. Seattle is hoping their gamble pays off. Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of the five riskiest moves of the offseason. The Pittsburgh Steelers' decision to sign Aaron Rodgers is among the inclusions. Notably at no. 1 overall is the Seahawks' move to sign Darnold in free agency. "The Seattle Seahawks' gamble is a risk on another level entirely," Kristopher Knox wrote. "Like the Rodgers signing, it has the potential to blow up in Seattle's face and cost jobs. However, it's a risk Seattle didn't necessarily have to take. While the financial investment isn't egregious for a starting quarterback, it's a lot for a seven-year veteran with exactly one good season on his resume." B/R is correct that the Seahawks are taking a huge risk by handing the offense to Darnold. As noted, his previous experience with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could prove decisive. Kubiak also plans to field a run-heavy offense with Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet in the backfield, removing some pressure from Darnold. Knox was willing to entertain the potential positive outcomes, too. "It could all work out, of course," Knox added. "Darnold's salary is manageable. He has experience with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who was with Darnold in 2023 as the San Francisco 49ers' passing game coordinator. Maybe Darnold's Pro Bowl campaign was only a glimpse of what's to come, and his end-of-year struggles an aberration." Darnold will decide the Seahawks' 2025 season.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Minnesota Vikings matchup against former QB seen as must watch in 2025
Minnesota Vikings matchup against former QB seen as must watch in 2025 Before the end of the 2024 season, there was speculation that the Minnesota Vikings could bring Sam Darnold back for another year. The seventh-year quarterback was on his way to his first Pro Bowl and had the Vikings in position to have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. As we all know, Darnold melted down against the Detroit Lions in Week 18 and then against the Los Angeles Rams one week later in the Wild Card round. That made the decision to move on from Darnold easier, instead moving forward with 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. Darnold signed a three-year, $100 million deal with the Seahawks in March, but that doesn't mean everyone feels the Vikings made the right decision to move on to an unproven commodity. Fortunately, we get to see the two quarterbacks square off in 2025, perhaps giving some closure to the debate. PFF's Brad Gagnon believes the Week 13 matchup between Darnold and McCarthy is one of the 12 best quarterback matchups of the season. He ranked it 11th on his list last week. Why it's cool: McCarthy should be deep into his first full season as a starter in place of Darnold, who stood out as Minnesota's quarterback throughout 2024 before leaving town for big money in Seattle. Both quarterbacks will feel they have a lot to prove in this spot. Prediction: The Vikings are simply the better team, McCarthy should be settled in by this point, and I don't really believe in Darnold. This should be a Vikes win, causing the franchise to feel comfortable with its decision to stick with its 2024 first-round pick. Of course, the singular game won't solely determine if the Vikings made the right decision to move on from Darnold. But it could offer some validation, much like the Vikings' 42-21 win over Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14 of 2024.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Deemed 'Polar Opposite' of Sam Darnold
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Deemed 'Polar Opposite' of Sam Darnold originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Deep in his own end zone, Sam Darnold cocked back and launched a ball to the Minnesota Vikings logo at midfield that was snared by star receiver Justin Jefferson. Advertisement It proved to be a 97-yard touchdown connection in Darnold's second game with the team and an early indicator of the season he would have. Darnold flashed his big arm throughout a 4,319-yard, 35-touchdown season en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. However, he had his struggles executing a vital part of Kevin O'Connell's offense, which a Vikings analyst argued J.J. McCarthy can excel at. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) at Vikings training campJeffrey Becker-Imagn Images On a June 11 appearance on SKOR North, Judd Zulgad detailed the dichotomy between Darnold and McCarthy. From Zulgad: If you guys recall in training camp last year, I came in and I pounded the table and said, 'Sam Darnold throws one of the nicest deep balls I've ever seen.' He's got the deep ball down pat -- it's gorgeous. The intermediate passes are suspect. McCarthy is the opposite. The intermediate passes are great. That's where the arm strength comes in. He threw an intermediate pass to Jalen Nailor over the middle that was gorgeous, like just in there. That pass had plenty of juice. I think what we're looking at is the polar opposite. And you can make a case that this is not a bad thing. We are looking at the polar opposite of Darnold. The deep passes need some work, but when I talk about arm strength, the arm strength is the intermediate balls over the middle. Zulgad's eye test holds up when looking at the numbers. Darnold threw the fourth-most big-time throws (23) on passes of 20 or more yards. He also led the league with 12 turnover-worthy plays on intermediate throws between 10 and 19 yards. Advertisement Among qualifying quarterbacks, Darnold graded as the 19th-best quarterback on intermediate throws with a 77.7 grade by Pro Football Focus. In particular, on throws 10 to 19 yards out along the left boundary, Darnold completed an abysmal 9 of 26 passes (34.6%) for 157 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and a 36.9 passer rating. That area became untouchable for the offense. While Darnold's deep ball lent itself to dazzling highlight-reel worthy plays, deep throws only made up about 75 of 585 pass attempts -- roughly 12.8%. Kevin O'Connell's offense is largely predicated on intermediate throws over the middle, which seemed to be McCarthy's wheelhouse. Advertisement The young quarterback looked better at those chain-moving throws than the seven-year veteran in training camp last year. That should bode well for McCarthy being productive in his first year as he continues to develop his game. Related: Vikings Star Gets Honest About Missing Practice Amid Contract Dispute Related: Vikings Trade Idea Sees J.J. McCarthy Joined by Young Gunslinger QB This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
