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Reports: Darnold Weighing Vikings/Broncos, Jimmy G an Option for Minnesota?

The Vikings have interest in Sam Darnold, but they're not alone.
Will Ragatz|
Reports: Darnold Weighing Vikings/Broncos, Jimmy G an Option for Minnesota?
Reports: Darnold Weighing Vikings/Broncos, Jimmy G an Option for Minnesota?

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Minnesota Vikings

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. He's expected to be released by the Raiders just one year into the three-year deal he signed last offseason.

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 worth up to $67.5 million with the Raiders, but threw nine interceptions in the first six games of the season and was benched in favor of rookie Aidan O'Connell.

Notably, Garoppolo has been suspended for the first two games of the 2024 season for violating the NFL's PED policy.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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