The NFL is set to kick into overdrive when free agency opens up. The Chicago Bears have been active throughout the offseason already, making Ben Johnson their head coach.
They also bolstered their offensive line by trading for G Joe Thuney and G Jonah Jackson. Chicago has $45 million available in cap space and could still make a series of additions ahead of the 2025 season.
With that being the focus in Chicago, other teams around the league are prepping for free agency. Things took a turn on Friday when the Seattle Seahawks traded QB Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders for a third-round pick.
That created a void at quarterback, but the Seahawks have their eyes set on his replacement. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, decision-makers around the league expect Seattle to land Sam Darnold on a multi-year deal.
That comes after NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Darnold is not expected to return to the Vikings.
As free agency approaches, the QB carousel is beginning to spin:
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 8, 2025
◽️ Decision makers around the league expect Sam Darnold to end up in Seattle on a multi-year deal
◽️ Minnesota will attempt to pivot and sign Daniel Jones, who is receiving interest from the Colts
◽️ The Vikings… pic.twitter.com/wu8NHBg4dW
With the Geno Smith trade opening a spot in Seattle, Sam Darnold is not expected to return to the #Vikings, who are now focused on other options they’ve been pursuing in recent weeks, sources tell The Insiders.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2025
Those options include re-signing Daniel Jones, who is mulling… pic.twitter.com/TYhgG9jPhf
With Darnold slated to leave Minnesota, they are looking at Daniel Jones and Aaron Rodgers as veteran additions. They have J.J. McCarthy as well, but he missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus. Despite being the 10th overall pick, he doesn't have the reps that would make their fanbase fully comfortable with him under center.
Meanwhile, Jones had a lackluster career with the New York Giants before getting released and signing with Minnesota in November. As for Rodgers, he's 41 years old and is coming off two disappointing seasons with the New York Jets, which saw them finish with a 5-12 record, even though he played in all 17 games in 2024.
Darnold played the best football of his career in 2024 with the Vikings. He ranked fifth in the league in passing yards (4,319) and passing touchdowns (35) while completing 66% of his passes.
Although Minnesota has $63 million available in cap space, they would rather see Darnold walk than pay him a lucrative deal. That's a risky move, considering they don't have anyone better than him on the roster. McCarthy is unproven, while Jones and Rodgers didn't play better ball than Darnold last season.
Regardless, this is music to the ears of Bears fans as they look to make a playoff push in 2025. The NFC North saw the Lions, Packers, and Vikings all make the postseason last season. With the Vikings losing their signal caller, Chicago hopes to overtake them in 2025 and make a run for the playoffs.