PFF Predicts Sam Darnold’s Offseason Fate
The Minnesota Vikings have three main options regarding Sam Darnold this offseason.
PFF Predicts Sam Darnold’s Offseason Fate
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can a) re-sign Darnold to an extension b) allow Darnold to depart via free agency where he can fetch a fat new contract c) franchise tag-and-trade the 27-year-old.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Vikings will choose the latter, franchise-tagging Darnold and determining his future from there.
PFF’s Mason Cameron explained, “Minnesota faces perhaps the most difficult decision of any team this offseason: keep Sam Darnold or let him walk? Darnold experienced a career renaissance with Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings after 10th-overall pick J.J. McCarthy went down with a torn meniscus in the preseason.”
Minnesota drafted McCarthy last offseason as its proposed quarterback solution of the future, and most expect him to take the reins next season, not Darnold.
“Solid signal-callers are difficult to come by, which will create a strong market around Darnold should he hit free agency. The exclusive franchise tag at quarterback reaches just a shade under $40 million, which the Vikings would be able to accommodate, kicking the can further down the road,” Cameron added.
Darnold produced a magnificent season until the final two games in 2024, delivering 36 total touchdowns and 4,319 passing yards. Near the end of December, the franchise tag-and-theories suggested Minnesota could grab a 2nd-Round draft pick or so for Darnold’s services. But when Darnold capitulated in the season’s final two games — the ones that mattered the most — enthusiasm for a tag-and-trade dwindled.
Cameron concluded, “If they were to let him hit the open market, compensatory draft compensation could be on the table, but that would rely on the Vikings being aggressive in signing free agents this offseason. Considering how many key contributors this team will need to replace this offseason, the likelihood of that occurring appears strong.”
Head coach Kevin O’Connell commented on his team’s quarterback plans last weekend, a hot topic among purple fans. “We drafted him 10th overall for a reason,” O’Connell told CBS Sports on Saturday about McCarthy, his 22-year-old passer.
O’Connell added, “I believe Sam has played himself into being kind of the marquee free-agent quarterback available. I do believe that his teammates and coaches and, our front office, and myself would love to have Sam back in Minnesota. But at the same time we do feel very confident in J.J. McCarthy. He’s healthy.”
He made no mention whatsoever of a tag-and-trade, and in fact, might’ve spilled the beans about letting Darnold test free agency.
But PFF still thinks a franchise tag is on the table.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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