Will Sam Darnold stick around for another season with the Minnesota Vikings? It’s one of the biggest questions as the NFL’s franchise tag window comes to a close on Tuesday.
After a 14-win season and a career-year from the first-time Pro Bowl QB, Darnold has earned himself a massive payday. But will it come from the Vikings?
No other landing spot can offer the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, Justin Jefferson, a Pro Bowl tight end in T.J. Hockenson, a blossoming No. 2 WR in Jordan Addison, or an elite pair of offensive tackles. Yet, the future keys to the offense in Minnesota belong to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, whom the Vikings traded up to select.
Several teams are expected to have interest in Darnold, but that’s only if the Vikings let their soon-to-be 28-year-old quarterback go. Which way is Minnesota’s front office leaning?
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Minnesota Vikings not franchise tagging Sam Darnold
The Minnesota Vikings have a few options with Sam Darnold. They could place the franchise tag on him and keep him for one more season at $40.2 million. With over $50 million in cap space to spend, the Vikings definitely have room in their budget for Darnold.
Yet, the Vikings could also choose to tag and trade Darnold, who’s value is at an all-time high after ranking in the top-five in yards and passer rating. Another option is to sign him to a multi-year contract extension, but the more urgent decision is whether they’ll tag Darnold before Tuesday’s 3 PM CT deadline expires.
However, according to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, the Vikings will not be tagging Darnold this year.
“A source told me emphatically that they won’t tag the quarterback,,and Darnold will hit the free agent market.”
Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline on Minnesota Vikings/Sam Darnold
Pauline’s sources went on to note that in addition to the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders expecting to have interest in Darnold, “people think” the Indianapolis Colts “will be in the market” for the Vikings QB too.
Local Vikings insider Judd Zulgad from SKOR North echoes the same sentiment about Darnold not being tagged.
“The latest word is, and I got a tip on this last night, and I then checked in with our scoop guy, Doogie, who has different sources. And the latest word from both is that the Vikings have either told Sam or have made it very clear that they are not going to tag him.”
With Darnold on track to hit the open market, he immediately becomes the top free agent quarterback available in a bit of a crowded class that’s also expected to include Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.
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