Could you envision Sam Darnold in an Indianapolis Colts uniform? The former USC star is set to be the top quarterback free agent this offseason.
While Darnold might re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings, there’s a possibility the team could opt to move on and start J.J. McCarthy instead.
If Darnold leaves Minnesota, several teams will likely show interest, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders.
But what about the Colts? Their quarterback situation is uncertain, as 2023 fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson has had a rough season. Should Indianapolis move on from Richardson and bring in Sam Darnold.
Should the Indianapolis Colts Pursue Sam Darnold?
Darnold’s Career Thus Far
Sam Darnold played college football for the USC Trojans, where he threw for 4,143 yards and 26 touchdowns in his final season, along with five rushing touchdowns.
The New York Jets drafted Darnold third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons in New York before being traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021.
After two years with the Panthers and one season with the San Francisco 49ers, Darnold joined the Minnesota Vikings last offseason. He was expected to serve as a placeholder until rookie J.J. McCarthy was ready to start. However, McCarthy tore his meniscus and missed the entire season.
Darnold went on to have a standout 2024 season, setting career highs with 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection and led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, although they were eliminated by the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs.
Colts Need to Stay out of the “Sam Darnold” Sweepstakes”
During his end-of-season press conference, Colts general manager Chris Ballard mentioned that the team plans to introduce competition at quarterback. However, bringing in Sam Darnold wouldn’t create much of a competition with Anthony Richardson.
Darnold would likely be the starter in Indianapolis, offering a clear upgrade over Richardson, who completed just 47.7% of his passes this season.
That said, Darnold isn’t the right choice for the Colts this offseason. While he’s had one solid season, there’s a risk he could be a one-hit wonder. Darnold is competent, but not the long-term solution capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl, and signing him would be costly.
Ballard is correct that the Colts need to challenge Richardson. A competitive environment could push him to reach his full potential. Instead of targeting Darnold, the Colts should consider players like Justin Fields or Daniel Jones, who could genuinely compete for the starting role.
Richardson’s early career hasn’t gone as planned, but he still has the potential to develop into a star quarterback. The Colts should remain patient with the former Florida Gator. If he doesn’t show improvement by the end of next season, however, they may need to reassess. Unfortunately for Colts fans hoping to land Darnold, this isn’t the move to make.
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