Geno Smith’s trade could have given the NFL quarterback market a new lease of life. Sam Darnold, in particular, plays a central role in this.

Have the Seattle Seahawks changed the direction of the NFL quarterback market with their trade of Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders?

After six years with the Seahawks, three of them as a starter, Seattle sent the playmaker to Nevada for a third-round pick. And of course the question arises: who will be his successor?

One name that is now being hotly debated is that of Sam Darnold. The 27-year-old played by far his best NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings, and his contract expires at the end of the league year on March 12.

So far, it has been said that Darnold and the Vikings would work to go into the coming season together. But the trade of Smith could have ruined those plans.

NFL: Will Aaron Rodgers end up with the Minnesota Vikings?

Because while the future in Minnesota probably belongs to last year’s first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings still want a veteran in the squad who can act as a backup and/or teacher for the youngster.

If Darnold leaves, this role could fall to Jones, who was released by the New York Giants last year and then initially joined the Vikings’ practice squad.

But according to reports, the 27-year-old also has several options, so it is not certain that he will stay with the Vikings. In this case, it is said that Aaron Rodgers would be extremely popular in Minnesota.

However, that would create problems for the Giants, who were considered the most likely destination for Rodgers. But the four-time MVP has not yet decided where he wants to play in the coming season.

In any case, only one thing seems certain in the quarterback market at the moment. Namely, that nothing is certain.