Browns Rumored QB Target to Sign with NFC Team

The Cleveland Browns might still have no idea what they want to do under center in 2025. 

Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles for the second time in three months back in January and will be shelved for all of next season. The Browns will have an opportunity to draft a young quarterback at No. 2 or later in next month's NFL Draft. But even with a rookie, there's a good chance Cleveland will want a veteran to play either behind or in front of that rookie.

And one of those names of interest for Cleveland may have just left the market.

Reports emerged on Monday that former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has agreed to terms on a new deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

It's reportedly a three-year deal, with the value varying depending on who reports it. NFL Media says it's a $100 million deal, while ESPN's Adam Schefter reported a $110.5 million deal with $55 million guaranteed.

Late last week, the Seahawks traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, opening up their starting job.

Darnold was No. 2 on Pro Football Talk's list of top 100 free agents after his best season as a pro in 2024. He completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games.

His last two games with the Vikings were not memorable, especially in the Wild Card loss to the Rams when Darnold completed 25-of-40 passes for 245 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

But he clearly played well enough throughout the rest of the season to earn interest from teams in need of a signal caller.

The Browns were just one of several teams reportedly interested in the 27-year-old former No. 3 overall draft pick in 2018, who will now play in the northwest in 2025 and beyond.