As the 2024 NFL season enters its final stretch, one question that has been lingering in the minds of many fans and analysts is whether Sam Darnold will remain a starting quarterback in 2025. The former third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has had a tumultuous career thus far, with stops in New York, Carolina, and now Los Angeles. While Darnold’s potential has never been in question, his performances on the field have been inconsistent at best. With the future of the quarterback position in question for several teams, will Sam Darnold finally break through and earn a permanent starting job next season?
Darnold’s Career Journey So Far
Sam Darnold entered the NFL with high expectations after a stellar college career at USC. However, his journey in the league has been far from smooth. Darnold’s first three seasons with the New York Jets were marked by a lack of stability, both at the quarterback position and with the overall team environment. Despite flashes of brilliance, Darnold struggled with turnovers and inconsistent play. After a trade to the Carolina Panthers in 2021, expectations were high for a fresh start, but Darnold once again failed to live up to the promise, finishing his time in Carolina with a mixed bag of performances.
In 2024, Darnold landed with the Los Angeles Rams, a team in transition with a quarterback who needed to prove himself to the coaching staff and fans alike. This year, he’s been inconsistent, with moments of promise but also stretches of mediocrity. While he’s been part of a playoff-bound Rams team, many questions about his future as a starting quarterback remain unanswered.
The Case for Sam Darnold as a Starter in 2025
Despite his ups and downs, there are reasons to believe that Darnold could be a starting quarterback in 2025. First, it’s important to recognize his physical tools. Darnold has the arm strength, size, and athleticism that scouts coveted when he was drafted. He’s shown the ability to make all the throws, and his mobility allows him to extend plays and evade pressure in the pocket. These attributes are valuable in today’s NFL, where mobility and a strong arm are often required to succeed.
Additionally, Darnold’s struggles have often been tied to poor offensive lines, lackluster coaching, and unsteady team environments. Given the right situation, with improved protection and a system that suits his strengths, Darnold could thrive. There are still teams in need of a quarterback who might take a chance on him. His experience could be seen as a positive in an era where many teams prefer quarterbacks with some level of proven success over untested rookies.
The Rams’ offensive system, while effective in certain areas, hasn’t always allowed Darnold to fully showcase his talents. However, with key playmakers around him like Cooper Kupp and Cam Akers, Darnold could continue to improve, especially if he’s given another season to grow with the team. His ability to lead the Rams to the playoffs this year—despite his inconsistent play—proves that he still has the potential to play winning football.
The Challenges Darnold Faces
That said, Darnold faces significant challenges in securing a starting role in 2025. His biggest issue has been consistency. Too often, he’s shown flashes of brilliance only to follow them up with critical mistakes, particularly turnovers. While turnovers are often a team issue, Darnold’s tendency to make poor decisions under pressure has been a recurring theme throughout his career. Teams looking for stability at the quarterback position may hesitate to invest in a player with such an up-and-down track record.
Moreover, with the 2025 NFL Draft looming, a new crop of quarterbacks will be entering the league. Some of these prospects, such as Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, are expected to be top-tier talents capable of stepping in as starters right away. With so many talented quarterbacks available, teams might be less inclined to roll the dice on a quarterback with Darnold’s history, especially if they have an opportunity to select a younger, more highly regarded prospect.
Additionally, Darnold’s time in Carolina and Los Angeles hasn’t exactly been marked by glowing reviews from coaches or analysts. While he’s certainly had moments of success, there’s also the undeniable fact that he’s yet to prove he can consistently elevate a team on his own. In an era where quarterbacks are expected to be both leaders and playmakers, Darnold’s tendency to struggle in crucial moments has raised doubts about his long-term viability as a starter.
What Does the Future Hold for Darnold?
So, will Sam Darnold be a starting quarterback in 2025? The answer depends on a variety of factors. The most important one is the system he ends up in. If he lands with a team that has a strong supporting cast, a solid offensive line, and a coaching staff that believes in his potential, Darnold could find himself starting once again. Teams like the Washington Commanders, the Atlanta Falcons, or even the Indianapolis Colts might be in the market for a quarterback in 2025, and Darnold could be seen as a low-risk option compared to other available veterans.
However, if Darnold doesn’t significantly improve his play in the remainder of the 2024 season, his chances of being a starting quarterback may be slim. The rise of younger, more polished quarterbacks and the continued development of quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Justin Herbert, who have redefined what it means to be a modern NFL QB, may leave little room for Darnold to secure a top job.
Conclusion
While Sam Darnold still has the physical tools and potential to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, his inconsistency and inability to capitalize on past opportunities may make his path to a starting role in 2025 more difficult. With a fresh batch of talented quarterbacks entering the league, Darnold’s future as a starter hinges on finding the right system, developing more consistency, and proving that he can be a leader at the most important position on the field.4
Whether he’ll be starting in 2025 or taking on a backup role remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—his time to prove himself is running out. Darnold’s ability to seize the opportunity and turn his career around will determine if he can continue as an NFL starter or if he will become just another “what could have been” in the league’s quarterback landscape.
