The Las Vegas Raiders may not wait for the NFL Draft to land their quarterback of the future, as Tom Brady may help make a move for Minnesota Vikings star Sam Darnold.
The Raiders were one of two teams that have surfaced, along with the New York Giants, as interested in Darnold, should the Vikings not try to re-sign him after leading Minnesota to a 14-3 regular-season record.
Las Vegas had been linked with taking Shedeur Sanders in the first round, given Brady’s history with the Colorado quarterback, and Deion Sanders’ comments about where he wants his son to play.
Darnold was impressive in long stretches for this season, showing he is capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL despite a lackluster start to his professional career.
After how Darnold’s season ended against the Lions and Rams, many believe Minnesota will move on from the 27-year-old in favor of injured rookie JJ McCarthy, per ESPN.
The Raiders and Giants were mentioned as possibilities due to them selecting outside of the top-two picks in April’s NFL Draft, with both the Titans and Browns needing a signal caller and making their choices at Nos 1 and 2.
Tom Brady’s Las Vegas Raiders may target Vikings’ quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency
The Raiders had been thought to be in the running for Shedeur Sanders but may go this route
Darnold’s worth on the open market is thought to be similar for another journeyman quarterback who has found roots with one team, Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield is in the middle of a three-year, $100million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders have been rated miles ahead of every other quarterback in the NFL Draft, with many expecting teams to reach for another signal caller in the first round after those two are off the board.
Neither is expected to make it past pick No 6, where the Raiders are choosing, last among the four teams who desperately need a quarterback at the top of the draft.
Taking a bet on Darnold, who is proven in the NFL, could be seen as less risky than Ward or Sanders, although he might cost more money.
The Giants started three quarterbacks last season, with Daniel Jones gone from the franchise. Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito have both proven to not be the long-term answer.
Las Vegas will not turn to Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew this upcoming season.
Now we wait to see where the chips fall, and whether Darnold will be in blue, black, or purple.
