Studies: Vikings Will not Franchise Tag QB Sam Darnold, Free Company Outlook ‘Fluid’
The Minnesota Vikings don’t plan to make use of the franchise tag on quarterback Sam Darnold earlier than Tuesday’s deadline, inching him one step nearer to free company. Nevertheless, in line with a number of studies, the Vikings are nonetheless hopeful they’ll re-sign him in what’s being described as a “fluid” state of affairs.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported comparable, noting the tag gained’t be used regardless of the Vikings want to create a path for Darnold to return.
Franchise-tagging Darnold would’ve value over $40 million for 2025 and nonetheless made him a free agent for the 2026 season.
With Matthew Stafford staying in Los Angeles, Darnold turns into the most effective quarterback out there. Reviving his profession with a powerful 2024 in Minnesota, Darnold is anticipated to command a excessive price ticket. Not solely due to the quarterback market exploding however the shortage of this offseason’s expertise pool. There’s solely a handful of starters and probably simply two first-round prospects.
Ought to Sam Darnold keep in Minnesota, curiosity in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will solely improve because the market shrinks one other identify. Mix buzz signifies each gamers have already got outdoors curiosity. Wilson has been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders, the place former coach Pete Carroll was simply employed, and the New York Giants, whom Wilson visited earlier than signing with Pittsburgh a 12 months in the past. Fields has been linked to the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, and Raiders.
Over the weekend, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler left open the likelihood of Pittsburgh pursuing Darnold ought to he hit the market. However Darnold hasn’t gained a lot total traction given his price ticket that’s more likely to hit the $30-40 million common yearly worth vary. Professional Soccer Focus tasks Darnold to earn over $41 million per season, a quantity nonetheless thought-about common for the place. Past the Vikings, the Raiders have been the most-connected workforce to Darnold as they search for quarterback assist to jumpstart the group’s new regime.
Darnold led Minnesota to a 14-3 report in 2024, throwing 35 touchdowns, finishing two-thirds of his passes, and surpassing 4,300 passing yards. A late-season collapse dinged his market however he’s nonetheless thought-about the highest quarterback and somebody the Vikings want to maintain, although they weren’t keen to go so far as to make use of the franchise tag to take action.
