Vikings unlikely to let Darnold stroll after damage replace to McCarthy?

This 12 months appears to be like a bit gentle on franchise tag candidates, however the Vikings do have essentially the most vital choice to make earlier than the March 4 tag deadline.

Sam Darnold has come up as a participant the workforce will think about tagging, regardless of his powerful end to his debut Minnesota season, and J.J. McCarthy‘s restoration timeline stands to issue into the Vikings’ choice. McCarthy has undergone two surgical procedures after struggling a meniscus tear within the preseason. Whereas loads of time stays between now and Week 1, final 12 months’s No. 10 general choose appears to be like to have a methods to go in his restoration.

McCarthy nonetheless has “vital” work to do by way of rebuilding his physique after the damage, in keeping with the Washington Put up’s Jason La Canfora, whose current conversations with numerous NFL execs level to the NFC North workforce defending itself earlier than the tag deadline. The Vikings shouldn’t be anticipated to let Darnold hit free company, La Canfora notes. This might take the highest QB possibility off the market, however given the Vikes’ scenario, it will be comprehensible in the event that they sought high-priced insurance coverage.

The Vikings have been in talks with Darnold, who can be eligible to talk with different groups starting March 10 when the authorized tampering interval begins. Darnold’s finest monetary play would in all probability be hitting the market and signing with a starter-needy workforce, one that will be able to authorize a number of assured years on a contract that will be anticipated to prime $30M each year. The Baker Mayfield worth vary got here up for Darnold not too long ago; Darnold’s ex-Panthers teammate re-signed with the Buccaneers for 3 years and $100M simply earlier than free company final 12 months.

Whereas Minnesota may take this route in an effort to keep away from a $40M-plus cap maintain clogging its payroll as a result of a franchise tag, McCarthy’s presence represents a relatively notable distinction between this case and the one Tampa Bay navigated in 2024. Darnold additionally may conceivably be leery of re-signing on a multiyear deal as a result of McCarthy’s presence. 

McCarthy’s rookie contract can run via 2028 by way of the fifth-year possibility, and whereas a report after Week 17 — a essential juncture on the Darnold Minnesota timeline, as a result of his struggles within the two video games that adopted — indicated groups would name the Vikes on McCarthy. No indications have emerged suggesting the Vikings would entertain buying and selling a participant round whom they centered their 2024 offseason.

If McCarthy does have to take main steps ahead by way of rehab and acclimating to the NFL, the Vikings conserving Darnold — after a breakthrough season that produced a 14-3 document, an original-ballot Professional Bowl nod and a Kevin O’Connell Coach of the Yr honor — would make sense no matter price. Minnesota is projected to hold greater than $58M in cap area. 

Whereas a Darnold tag would throw a wrench into the Vikings’ skill to retain free brokers Byron Murphy, Camryn Bynum and Aaron Jones, prioritizing a quarterback would stand to supersede retaining starters elsewhere.

Although, the Vikings are coming off a season during which they noticed a $10M QB make a surprising leap. A second Darnold 12 months additionally cuts into Minnesota’s skill to construct round McCarthy’s rookie contract. 

O’Connell additionally elevated Kirk Cousins‘ play, and the workforce additionally labored with Daniel Jones for practically two months to shut the season. Jones can be a inexpensive possibility, within the occasion the Vikings resolve a Darnold franchise tag can be too expensive.