NFL Rumors: Tom Brady Was ‘Not In Favor’ Of Raiders Signing Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold silenced many skeptics during a breakout 2024 season, but Tom Brady could have helped block a potential offseason landing spot.

Playing on a $10 million contract, Darnold amassed 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns for the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings. The quarterback parlayed that success into a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle cleared the starting spot for Darnold by trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. As for why the Raiders didn’t save a third-round pick by pursuing Darnold instead, they reportedly had a prominent voice of opposition.

Brady was “not in favor” of the Raiders signing Darnold in free agency, according to The Athletic’s Michael Silver. The minority owner’s opinion holds “great sway” within the organization.

Darnold made the most of what could have been his last chance to cement himself as a starting quarterback. After rough tenures with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, and a 2023 detour as Brock Purdy’s backup on the San Francisco 49ers, the former No. 3 pick finally found his NFL footing with a career-high 102.5 quarterback rating.

Perhaps Darnold’s rough finish sparked some reservations from Brady.

With the NFC North on the line in the regular season’s final game, the former USC star completed 18 of 41 passes for 166 yards in a 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. Darnold then went 25-of-40 for 245 yards, a touchdown, an interception and nine sacks in a first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Yet it’s highly unlikely Brady unilaterally made the Raiders’ quarterback decision. They reunited Pete Carroll with Smith, who revitalized his career under the head coach in Seattle.

The move appeared to have Brady’s endorsement. Last month, Raiders general manager John Spytek told The Athletic’s Dan Pompei that Brady “really respected” Smith.

“[Brady] liked the way he threw it, his technique, throwing from the ground up and his motion,” Spytek said. “And he thought he had the potential to improve.”

Neither Darnold nor Smith may see the field when the Seahawks and Raiders face off in their first preseason game on Aug. 7.