The Minnesota Vikings entered the offseason with something several NFL teams don’t have: Options at quarterback.
While several quarterback-needy teams are stuck with a disappointing rookie class at signal-caller, the Vikings have 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy and the option to keep veteran Sam Darnold.
Darnold had a breakout year with Minnesota in 2024, throwing for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while leading the Vikings to the wild card.
Minnesota Vikings make a $40 million decision
The Vikings had the option to re-sign Darnold, apply the franchise tag, or let him walk into free agency. Per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Minnesota is not expected to use the franchise tag by Tuesday’s deadline.
“The Vikings are not expected to franchise tag the quarterback ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Monday night, per sources informed of the situation.
Rapoport and Pelissero added that all parties are working through options to potentially keep him in Minnesota.
The decision aligns with what head coach Kevin O’Connell has said all offseason, namely that Darnold has earned the right to test the open market.”
The franchise tag would have cost the Vikings $40.242 million.
Is Sam Darnold worth $40 million?
The Vikings don’t appear to believe Darnold is worth that, despite having an impressive season. Darnold’s stock tanked towards the end of the season when Minnesota was blown out 31-9 by the Detroit Lions in Week 18 and 27-9 by the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card.
It would have been advantageous for Minnesota to tag Darnold and attempt to receive free draft compensation for the former first-round pick if they chose to move on from him in 2025.
However, their decision to let Darnold test the open market appears to mean the Vikings don’t think any team they could trade him to would be willing to pay that price.
Regardless, the Vikings don’t think there’s enough of a dropoff between Darnold and McCarthy to pay $40 million.
Will another team without even a quarterback on a rookie salary think differently in free agency?
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