With the Raiders’ disappointing 4-13 season now behind them, the upcoming NFL free agency period, set to begin on March 10th, presents a crucial chance for Las Vegas to revamp their roster and address glaring weaknesses.
One of the team’s top priorities is finding a franchise quarterback after moving on from Derek Carr. Speculation is mounting that the Raiders could target a talented star when free agency opens.
Sam Darnold, whose NFL career has been marked by inconsistency, showed flashes of brilliance in 2024. He delivered a breakout season, ranking among the league’s best with 35 touchdown passes and 4,319 passing yards. Despite his impressive numbers, questions remain about his ability to perform in critical moments. Darnold struggled in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions and faltered again in the Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Rams, raising concerns about his reliability under pressure.
For the Raiders, however, Darnold’s potential as a “bridge” quarterback could make him an appealing option. He could provide stability under center while the team works on a long-term rebuild and develops a future star quarterback.
The former USC standout and 2018 first-round draft pick signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason. While his season ended on a sour note, his strong overall performance could command a sizable contract in free agency—unless Minnesota decides to extend or franchise-tag him.
Could Darnold be wearing silver and black next season? It’s a possibility, and in the unpredictable world of the NFL, stranger things have happened.
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