Total Pro Sports
If Sam Darnold lives up to his hefty $100.5 million contract, the Seattle Seahawks and their fans will owe Tom Brady one giant thank you.
Darnold had a career year for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, completing 66.2 percent of pass attempts for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. But with Minnesota committed to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, Darnold went on to test free agency and landed himself a lucrative nine-figure deal.
According to a report from Michael Silver of The Athletic, Seattle’s push to land the 28-year-old quarterback “snuck up on many NFL observers and proceeded in rapid-fire fashion.” Silver also reports that Tom Brady, now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, pushed against the idea of signing Darnold:
“The Seahawks’ pursuit of Darnold snuck up on many NFL observers and proceeded in rapid-fire fashion. While some believed the Las Vegas Raiders would try to sign Darnold, minority owner Tom Brady — a seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback whose opinion held great sway — was not in favor of that approach, according to a source familiar with the franchise’s internal discussions.”
Mark Davis and Tom Brady hired John Spytek and Pete Carroll as their new GM and head coach, respectively. After passing on Darnold, the Raiders completed a blockbuster trade for ex-Seahawks Pro Bowl QB Geno Smith.
The Raiders were expected to be in the market for a QB upgrade after cutting Gardner Minshew II. 2023 fourth-round pick Aidan O’Connell, who appeared in nine games last year, is now the backup behind Smith.
After a third straight losing season, Tom Brady and company wasted no time bolstering the roster. Las Vegas now has a future Hall of Famer at head coach, a Pro Bowl quarterback and prized rookie running back in Ashton Jeanty.
The pieces are the for the Raiders to be a playoff contender in 2025. We’ll see if the changes lead to new results in Sin City.
Also Read: Tom Brady’s NFL Legacy: Where Does The Former Star Rank All-Time?
