Tom Brady may be a Michigan man, but he also loves people who clearly have USC bonds.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday that the Raiders, whose owners are Brady, are hoping that Sam Darnold will play to become their starting quarterback in free agency.
The acquisition of Darnold gave the Raiders a Trojan to lead the team as the 27-year-old quarterback played for USC before being drafted third overall by the Jets in 2018. Until 2009.
“I think the Raiders are going to play for Sam Darnold.” Shefater said in the “Pat McAfee Show.” “I think Sam Darnold is the candidate to become the Raiders quarterback. We'll see if Minnesota will let him go, but if that's what's going to work out if Sam Darnold is caught up in Vegas. Let's take a look.”
The Raiders are trying to reshape the franchise with Brady's input, and their biggest area of needs is in the game's most important position.
Aidan O'Connell-Gardner Minshew pairing didn't work last season. It would be difficult to compete in the division with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bonix.
The Raiders own the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April, but Camward and Shedure Sanders' top two options could be lost by then, beating the quarterback class this year It is considered to be targeted.
It could be Brady and owner Mark Davis looking for free agent, and Darnold would be the best group that includes Russell Wilson and Justin Fields if he becomes a free agent.
Darnold threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns to activate his career while leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record.
But the big question is whether the Vikings have him hit a free agency.
Minnesota can sign a franchise tag, transition tag, or Darnold extension, but they believed they drafted the franchise quarterback when they selected JJ McCarthy last year.
Having a cheap, good quarterback is usually advantageous under the NFL salary cap.
So the Vikings could make that easier with his frame out in Week 18 and wildcard rounds, but they could move on from the quarterback that led them to a 14-3 record. They have a strict call on whether or not.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell shows Minnesota knows Darnold is one.
“I believe Sam played himself like he was probably Markey's free agent quarterback.” O'Connell told CBS last week. “His teammates and coaches, our front office and myself, we want Sam back to Minnesota, but at the same time we are very confident in JJ McCarthy. He's healthy. We drafted him to No. 10th overall.”
