The Athletic: The Sam Darnold Effect

Alec: Right and being like, ‘We know he wants to come to us and he’s going to hit free agency regardless. So why would we part with a fourth-round pick or what have you?’ I’ve also had conversations with people internally where they’re like, ‘Alec, how often are premium players being traded for premium draft capital in this day and age of the NFL?’ You would be able to go through history; I’m thinking Bradley Chubb, maybe Jalen Ramsey and Tyreek Hill. It’s interesting to think about how much of a return these players are generating via draft picks because I don’t think it happens that often in these times in the NFL.

On the record, I do not think Minnesota is going to tag and trade Darnold. I think he just walks and signs elsewhere. I've said as much for a month:

The #Vikings “do not anticipate” placing the franchise tag on Sam Darnold, and will likely let him hit the open market,
@Andrew_Krammer
mentioned on Vikings Happy Hour
The franchise tag for Darnold would’ve been $40M after the recent cap numbers came out.

IMO, there is one team that makes the most sense and its where he's going: Las Vegas. Pete Carroll is 73 years, he wants to win now (or try to) and they've got the cap room to sign Uncle Sammy (and front load the contract, freeing them up to draft a rookie and let him sit) and then some. New facilities. Not a bad place for a single guy like Darnold and much closer to his family (very short flight or you could even drive it).

I think Darnold is going to be a very high priced bridge QB in essence.

IMO, there is one team that makes the most sense and its where he's going: Las Vegas. Pete Carroll is 73 years, he wants to win now (or try to) and they've got the cap room to sign Uncle Sammy (and front load the contract, freeing them up to draft a rookie and let him sit) and then some. New facilities. Not a bad place for a single guy like Darnold and much closer to his family (very short flight or you could even drive it).

I think Darnold is going to be a very high priced bridge QB in essence.

LMAO. Nobody has their pulse on the NFL like me:

[img]https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gk4j-3dXIAA86tR?format=jpg&name=large[/img]
[hr]
p.s. 

Dianna Russini
@DMRussini
·
12m
The New York Giants are now shifting their interest to Aaron Rodgers. They’ve been discussing it all week in Indy per sources.
[hr]
and....

Another one. Sounds like the
@Steelers
want to retain either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.

The pool of teams are closing on Sam Darnold. C'mon back for $7 million to backup McCarthy!