Sam Darnold had an outstanding season leading the Minnesota Vikings to a stellar 14-3 record. They battled the Detroit Lions down to the final week for the top seed in the NFC. Initially expected to be a middle-of-the-pack team, the Vikings exceeded all expectations. Their defense was exceptional, and Darnold delivered his best season as a pro. He threw for 35 touchdowns, smashing his previous career high of 19, and racked up 4,319 passing yards, far surpassing his earlier best of just over 3,000. Darnold also set personal records in completion percentage and QBR. Everything seemed to click for both Darnold and the Vikings this year. With his contract now expiring, Darnold will undoubtedly attract interest from numerous teams, but the Indianapolis Colts stand out as a logical fit.
Why the Colts?
The Indianapolis Colts experienced an inconsistent season. After a promising Week 1 victory over the Jaguars, they followed up with an ugly Week 2 loss to the New York Giants. The season was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. The defense, despite a few recognizable names, struggled and ranked 24th in points allowed per game. The offense was equally uninspiring, largely due to instability at quarterback. Anthony Richardson, the team’s 2023 first-round pick, started the season but showed little progress. The Colts eventually turned to veteran Joe Flacco, who went 2-4 as a starter but is nearing 40 years old.
Richardson’s performance left fans frustrated. He posted the worst completion percentage in the NFL at 47.7%, the lowest in 14 years since Tim Tebow’s 46.5%. His stats were bleak: eight touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and fewer than 2,000 passing yards. Benched multiple times throughout the season, Richardson has yet to prove he’s the answer for Indianapolis, and many fans are ready to move on. This is where Sam Darnold comes into the picture.
Why Darnold?
Darnold finished the season ranked in the top five for both passing yards and touchdowns. From battling for a starting job to becoming one of the league’s most sought-after quarterbacks, he was a driving force behind the Vikings’ 14-3 record and their status as legitimate NFC contenders. With his contract now expiring, Darnold will have plenty of suitors, and the Colts should be one of them.
Indianapolis faces a glaring need at quarterback after a disappointing season. With the 14th pick in the upcoming draft, the Colts are unlikely to land one of the top QB prospects. Turning to free agency for Darnold makes sense. Unlike previous free-agent quarterbacks the Colts have signed—such as Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan, Carson Wentz, and Gardner Minshew—Darnold is in his prime and coming off a career year.
The Colts already have talented skill-position players and could elevate their roster significantly with a stable and productive quarterback like Darnold. Signing him would provide the Colts with the consistency they’ve lacked at the position since Andrew Luck’s retirement, giving them a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. For Indianapolis, adding Darnold is the right move to finally solidify the most critical position on the field.
Leave a Reply