Who Should I Start? Marcus Mariota or Sam Darnold

Monday, February 3, 6:50 PM

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Washington Commanders impending free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota is very much on the Miami Dolphins' and Las Vegas Raiders' radar this offseason as they seek to add a proven, established No. 2 QB. The Dolphins are seeking insurance for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose history of head injuries are well-documented. In Vegas, the Raiders could look to reunite Mariota with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached Mariota for two years at Oregon. The 31-year-old played well in limited action in 2024 with Washington, going 34-for-44 for 364 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. He's started 74 games in the NFL and has a 90.1 career passer rating, 97 TDs and 55 interceptions after the Titans made him the second overall pick in 2015. If Miami can't sign Mariota, they could pivot to 37-year-old Andy Dalton.

Monday, March 3, 10:28 PM

The Minnesota Vikings are not expected to place the franchise tag on impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold by Tuesday's deadline, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, all parties are working through their options to potentially keep him in Minnesota. Rapoport describes Darnold's situation as fluid with free agency right around the corner. Last year's first-rounder, quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) missed all of his rookie season after injuring his knee in the preseason, and then Darnold went on to have a career year, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season starts. If the Vikings think McCarthy might need another full year of development, it would make sense that they're considering re-signing Darnold for 2025. The 27-year-old won't have a shortage of suitors in free agency, though, with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders perhaps going after him the hardest.