Questions Answered: The Dizzying Sam Darnold Saga, Free Agent Reunion for Vikings, Shaq Griffin
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the March 3rd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: The Dizzying Sam Darnold Saga, Free Agent Reunion for Vikings, Shaq Griffin
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: What’s the deal with these flip-flopping Sam Darnold rumors? Will he be traded or not?
Answer: Probably not.
Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline first reported Saturday at the NFL Combine that Darnold would likely be franchise tagged-and-traded before the deadline on Tuesday, March 4th. One day later, Pauline reversed the narrative.
“During my Saturday notes article from the combine, I mentioned reports elsewhere stated the Vikings could pull a tag and trade on Sam Darnold. This morning, a source told me emphatically that they won’t tag the quarterback, and Darnold will hit the free agent market,” Pauline explained.
Pauline added, “So where does Darnold end up? Besides the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, the likely suspects, people think the Colts will be in the market for the third pick of the 2018 draft. I mentioned several days ago that Indianapolis will look to add a veteran quarterback to the roster, not just a backup but someone who could come in and start if Anthony Richardson falters. Darnold fits the bill.”
So, no big deal, right? Well, one day prior, Pauline stated the opposite, igniting the Vikings’ fan base with theories that the purple team would receive a sweet draft pick in a Darnold trade.
“After losing out on Matthew Stafford, what will the Las Vegas Raiders do next? There are still persistent rumors they may try to trade up for a quarterback in the draft. People close to Sam Darnold tell me that Raiders coach Pete Carroll will work to make a move to acquire the quarterback from the Vikings,” Pauline wrote before the reversal.
We predict no on a Darnold tag-and-trade and have been consistent about that for weeks.
Q: Which big-name Vikings free agent is most likely to return?
Answer: We’ll say Aaron Jones.
He’s said about four times that he wants to end his career in Minnesota, and the Vikings love him.
This one is all about money, and we bet Jones will sign his one- or two-year deal worth about $6 million annually.
Q: Will they re-sign Shaq Griffin?
Answer: Our prediction is yes.
Griffin is a perfect spot-starter and insurance policy for whatever Minnesota’s cornerback fix(es) might turn out to be. He’ll be affordable, and Griffin is dependable.
So, for example, if the Vikings re-sign Byron Murphy Jr. and add free-agent newcomer Paulson Adebo, Griffin would be the perfect complement at CB3 or CB4.
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 MIN 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.