Reports: Darnold weighing Vikings/Broncos, Jimmy G an option for Minnesota?
As the Vikings look to reload their quarterback room in the wake of losing Kirk Cousins to the Falcons, there’s been consistent buzz that they have interest in signing former 49ers, Panthers, and Jets QB Sam Darnold. There seems to be a belief among Vikings leadership that Darnold, if placed in their excellent offensive environment, has a chance to be this year’s Baker Mayfield. According to the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, Darnold is weighing offers from the
Vikings and the Broncos, who released Russell Wilson earlier this month. If that’s accurate, he’ll presumably make a decision between those two suitors in the near future. Both teams have offensive-minded head coaches, but the Vikings seem to have a slightly better infrastructure for a quarterback in terms of their offensive line and skill position talent. Darnold, who was the No. 3 overall pick in 2018, turns 27 this summer. 15 Quarterback Options For Vikings With Kirk Cousins Gone Another name surprisingly floated as an option for the Vikings is Jimmy Garoppolo,
who was mentioned along with Darnold by Ian Rapaport of NFL Network. Jimmy G has two years left on his contract with the Raiders, with base salaries of $11.25 million in 2024 and $22.5 million in 2025. That would be rather expensive for a bridge quarterback, but it would also likely mean the Vikings wouldn’t have to give up much to acquire him in a trade. Garoppolo, 32, was with the 49ers from 2017-22, overlapping with both Vikings GM Kwesi
Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell during their stints in San Francisco. He won four playoff games with the 49ers and came close to a Super Bowl victory in the 2019-20 season. Last offseason, Garoppolo signed a three-year deal with the Raiders, but struggled and was benched in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell. Notable, Garoppolo has been suspended for the first two games of the 2024 season for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
