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Sam Darnold Free Agency Landing Spots: Five Possible Team Fits

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesDec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

A quality NFL starting quarterback? For most of the year, Sam Darnold looked the part—right up until he didn’t.

Remnants of Darnold’s frigid finish are difficult to forget, pooled around him like a moat because of the significance of the two losses to Minnesota, resulting from his ice-cold performances.

After 13 games with a passer rating of 100-plus and 14 wins in his first 16 games with the Vikings, Darnold crashed in the winner-take-all regular-season finale at Detroit for the NFC North title. He completed 18 of 41 passes (43.9%) and averaged 4.05 yards per pass with a 55.5 passer rating. Rather than the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, the 14-win Vikings packed for a wild-card road game against NFC West winner Los Angeles (in Arizona). Playoff Sam wasn’t much better: 25 of 40 and sacked nine times.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell proclaimed the Vikings would welcome Darnold back and attempted a public-facing defense of Darnold’s nosedive, advising the public to assess the quarterback on his body of work in the 2024 season.

Reality is, Darnold lost a significant amount of money in those two spotlight games and enters free agency in complete turmoil. Teams will view the body of work as one thing, and his showing under the burden of playoff pressure as an unforgettable truth.

Can Darnold win games in the NFL? Certainly. Will he win when it matters? Ehhhhhh.

The best paths forward for Darnold are those without the guarantee of a No. 1 job. He could do well in the role he was signed by the Vikings to fill: bridge quarterback and mentor for first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

Starter money disappeared in Detroit, and whatever was left went up in flames in Arizona against the Rams.

Here are five teams that could dial up Darnold as a stopgap in 2025.

1. Tennessee Titans

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn ImagesAug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Nobody expects the Titans to torpedo the AFC South after posting the league’s worst record in 2024. And nobody knows if Will Levis will get another chance to prove he can handle the rigors of the position at this level. Darnold looked capable of helping Tennessee with a 3-0 record against the division last season and a win over the Titans in Nashville. He’d be aligned with another coach from the Sean McVay coaching tree—Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, O’Connell in Minnesota—with Brian Callahan, who helped develop Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.

2. Cleveland Browns

Dec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesDec 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski during the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Kevin Stefanski took the Browns to the playoffs with Joe Flacco fresh from the couch in 2023. With a fortified offensive line, Darnold could hold up well until Cleveland has a better option. But he’s more of a controlled, anticipatory passer who benefited from indoor environs in Minnesota. He doesn’t have the rocket-launcher throwing arm of Flacco or Jameis Winston or the mobility to do much outside the pocket.

3. Indianapolis Colts

Dec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) runs past the tackle of Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesDec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) runs past the tackle of Denver Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (97) in the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

This isn’t a perfect fit, considering the Colts designed an offense for a 6-foot-4, 250-pound quarterback who is a vastly better runner than passer in Anthony Richardson. But GM Chris Ballard promised competition, and the 2025 draft needs to be about playmakers, pass rush and offensive line help.

4. New York Giants

Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll walks onto the field after loss to Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesJan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll walks onto the field after loss to Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Brian Daboll can make it work with a play-action passer. Darnold on a no-promises contract would at least give the Giants options entering the draft.

5. New York Jets

Nov 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn ImagesNov 10, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

New coach Aaron Glenn authored the Week 18 game plan—then as Lions defensive coordinator—that resulted in Darnold’s free agency demise. But Darnold nearly got the best of him in a 31-29 loss to the Lions on Oct. 20.

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Robert Kraft: Patriots offered CB Christian Gonzalez record-setting deal

Jun 9, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) takes questions from the media at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesJun 9, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) takes questions from the media at minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said the team offered Christian Gonzalez a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

Kraft did not reveal the specific terms of the deal on Saturday, the first day of training camp.

“We love Christian Gonzalez,” Kraft said during the team’s Pawtriots pet adoption event, per the Boston Herald. “We love him as a player, as a person. That’s why we’ve made an offer to him that makes him the highest-paid player ever to play that position in the NFL, and coincidentally, it’s the highest contract in the Patriots franchise history.

“So we’re glad we drafted him and we developed here, and we hope he’ll be with us for a long time.”

Gonzalez is eligible for a contract extension for the first time after being selected by the Patriots with the 17th overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Los Angeles Rams’ Trent McDuffie is currently the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, pocketing $31 million per season on his four-year, $131 million contract that he signed this offseason.

Gonzalez, 24, made the Pro Bowl last season after posting 69 tackles and 10 passes defensed in 14 starts. He has three interceptions, 24 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one sack and 145 tackles in 34 career games (all starts).

–Field Level Media

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49ers' Kyle Shanahan to be limited in camp after serious car crash

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan talks to the media during the NFL League Meetings on March 30, 2026, at Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix.San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan talks to the media during the NFL League Meetings on March 30, 2026, at Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs and his hand, needed over 40 stitches to his face and sustained a severe concussion after he was involved in a car accident last week, ESPN reported Saturday.

Per the network, the accident occurred on July 14 after Shanahan collided with an SUV near his northern California home.

The other driver was not injured, per Palo Alto lieutenant Nicholas Martinez. Martinez added that drugs and alcohol were not involved.

The 49ers said Shanahan will participate in team activities on a limited basis at the start of training camp, with ESPN reporting doctors will not clear Shanahan for all activities until concussion symptoms clear.

The team said assistant head coach Chris Foerster along with team coordinators will handle the head-coaching responsibilities during this time.

49ers general manager John Lynch is scheduled to hold a news conference at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

The Niners are scheduled to hold their first practice of training camp Sunday morning and are set to open the season on Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Shanahan, 46, will begin his 10th season as head coach in San Francisco. He owns an 82-67 record in the regular season. He has a 9-5 postseason record, guiding the 49ers to a pair of Super Bowl appearances — losing to the Kansas City Chiefs both times (2020, 2024).

–Field Level Media

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Jenny Shin inches closer to first LPGA Tour win in 10 years

Jun 19, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Jenny Shin plays her shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn ImagesJun 19, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; Jenny Shin plays her shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Jenny Shin carded a 1-under-par 71 on Saturday to maintain her five-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Women’s Scottish Open in North Ayrshire.

Shin recorded two birdies and a bogey at Dundonald Links on Saturday to ascend to 12-under 204 for the tournament.

The 33-year-old South Korean is bidding for her first LPGA Tour win since capturing the now-defunct Volunteers of America Texas Shootout 10 years ago. The last LPGA Tour player to go 10 or more years between official victories was Vicki Fergon, who went 12 years and three months between wins at the 1984 S&H Golf Classic and the 1996 Michelob Light Heartland Classic.

“I’ve never been in this position (a five-shot lead), so I don’t know how to feel (on Sunday),” Shin said. “I’m going to go and practice for a little bit and get a good feel for tomorrow so I’m not such a mess in the morning.”

Shin made a birdie on the sixth hole and answered a bogey on the 10th hole by making another birdie on No. 11.

“That was a very tough round. I was quite nervous for the first five holes, so I’m really glad that I was able to finish the day in red numbers,” she said. “It was a pretty boring and nerve-wracking day at the same time.”

“That was a bit of a hiccup on No. 10. I changed my setup this week because of all the wind and out of habit, I lined up the putt and went back to my old setup. I shut the face. I knew what I was doing, so I was able to get back pretty easily.”

Shin holds a five-stroke lead over Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn, who had three birdies during her bogey-free round of 69.

“I would say almost everything went well,” Anannarukarn said. “I was driving the ball well and hitting it good out there. The putter was very hot today, so that was the key. It was a challenging day, and also, at the same time, I had good fun battling with the wind. It was a great day out there.”

Japan’s Erika Hara (71 on Saturday) and Germany’s Esther Henseleit (73) sit at 5 under for the tournament.

Despite her troubles, Henseleit said she wasn’t going to press as she attempts to record her first win since joining the LPGA Tour in 2020.

“It’s really hard to press on this golf course, to be honest. Just no matter like if you want to take birdie or par, you kind of have to hit the same shots because they are the only possible shots,” Henseleit said.

“So I don’t think my game plan really changed, and yeah, I’m just trying to do my thing out there and hopefully tomorrow I can hit a few close and make some putts.”

–Field Level Media

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