After one team pulled off a surprising and sudden trade late last night, a new franchise is the leader to try and secure the signature of free agent quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold, who had a bounce-back year with the Vikings in 2024, is now one of the most sought-after free agents on the market.

But after being linked with teams like the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, it appears a new club is trying to fight for his services.

On Friday evening, the Seattle Seahawks pulled off a stunning deal that sent quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick.

The move came seemingly out of nowhere as Smith’s name hadn’t exactly been bandied about in trade rumors. But now, he’s set to re-unite with former coach Pete Carroll in Vegas.

Now that the Seahawks moved on from Smith, multiple reports have linked Darnold with Seattle.

There’s a new team ᴀssumed to be in the lead for pending free agent quarterback Sam Darnold

After the Seahawks traded Geno Smith to the Raiders, Seattle is interested in Darnold’s talent

Darnold had the best season of his career with the Vikings in a bounce-back for the vet

Fox Sports’ NFL insider Jordan Schultz says that Darnold is Seattle’s ‘No. 1 option, and there is mutual interest on his behalf as well.’

The Athletic’s Dianna Russini says that people around the league ‘expect’ Darnold to sign to Seattle ‘on a multi-year deal’.

Minnesota, meanwhile, is likely to hand the reins over to JJ McCarthy, who they drafted in 2024 – but did not play last season due to an injury sustained in the preseason.

Per multiple reports, the Vikings are now focusing their attention on trying to re-sign Daniel Jones, who they acquired via a trade with the Giants in the middle of the season. 

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggests that Jones ‘has options, with Minnesota and the [Indianapolis] Colts being among them.’

Darnold was one of the most hyped draft prospects in years when he came out of USC in 2018. The New York Jets drafted him third overall that year, but he never really played up to his potential at the Meadowlands.

Moves to the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers produced similar results before his success in Minnesota this past year.

Now, he’s believed to be a top option for teams that are quarterback-hungry, like Seattle now is.

Smith is now off to Las Vegas to re-unite with Pete Carroll, who coached him in Seattle

Darnold’s success last season will make him the best free agent on the market this year

There are questions about who Darnold would have to throw to if he joined Seattle. After the club announced they would be releasing ten-year veteran Tyler Lockett, star wideout DK Metcalf demanded a trade from the team.

If Metcalf departs, Seattle’s top targets would be wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and тιԍнт end Noah Fant.

After six seasons of failing to break the 4,000 yard plateau, Darnold tossed 4,319 yards last season – a career high.

He also reached career-best marks in completions, pᴀss attempts, completion percentage and pᴀsser rating.

Darnold also completed a career-best 35 touchdown pᴀsses – blasting past his previous best-mark of 19 back in 2019.

Smith followed a similar pattern. He too was drafted by the Jets and suffered from a lack of success, but was not nearly as highly-praised as Darnold.

Nevertheless, he found his groove in Seattle, won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022, and was named to back-to-back Pro Bowls with the Seahawks. 

Last season, he too hit career-best marks in completions and pᴀssing attempts – as well as a career high 4,320 yards (exactly one yard more than Darnold).