Top Steelers QB Target off the Board: Sam Darnold Signs with Seahawks
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, one rumored Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback target is off the market. Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
“ESPN sources: Former Vikings QB Sam Darnold reached agreement today on a three-year, $110.5 million contract including $55 million guaranteed with the Seattle Seahawks,” Schefter wrote on x. “Seattle has its successor to Geno Smith.”
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini said Sunday night that the Steelers planned to offer Sam Darnold, who had a career resurgence last season in Minnesota. Darnold helped the Vikings to a 14-3 record last season, but he struggled in Minnesota’s final two games. He still gets paid handsomely despite those shortcomings.
Darnold passed for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns during his lone season with the Vikings.
Darnold was taken No. 3 overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL Draft. He didn’t pan out there and bounced around to Carolina and San Francisco before landing in Minnesota. Rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered an injury that kept him out all of last season, allowing Darnold to step in and take the reins for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
For Seattle, Sam Darnold fills the void left by Geno Smith, who the Seahawks traded to Las Vegas on Friday. Seattle also sent receiver DK Metcalf to the Steelers on Sunday night.
Justin Fields is now also off the table for the Steelers, having agreed to a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets. That leaves veteran quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers as the free agency options that Pittsburgh has had contact with.