Within the next five weeks, the Minnesota Vikings will decide if quarterback Sam Darnold remains in the Twin Cities for an extra year or more — or tries on a new NFL location for size.
Sam Darnold’s Future Gets an Update from ESPN
Before collapsing in the Vikings’ final two games of the 2024 season, Darnold provided MVP-like numbers, diming 35 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, with 4,319 passing yards. Meanwhile, Minnesota has rookie J.J. McCarthy waiting to take over as QB1; it’s just a matter of when on McCarthy, who tore his meniscus last August and missed the entire season.
And according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Vikings are still interested in reuniting with Darnold in 2025, possibly using the franchise tag to keep him in town. Fowler wrote last weekend, “The Vikings have not yet made a firm determination on Sam Darnold’s future with the team. His strong play this season has caused them to pause and take a hard look at their options. Bringing him back feels like a stronger possibility than it was five or six months ago.”
As of early February, the Vikings have around $60 million in cap space, which will dwindle quickly if Darnold is re-signed at market value.
“But the Vikings will have a cap on spending here. Some agents have argued that Darnold shouldn’t take a penny less than Daniel Jones’ four-year, $160 million deal with the Giants from two years ago. Teams have suggested Darnold getting something more in line with Baker Mayfield’s contract (three years, $100 million). In the end, perhaps the transition tag ($35.3 million) makes the most sense,” Fowler added.
The transition tag is a variation of the franchise tag, defined as follows: “This tag works like the nonexclusive franchise tag, except it only gives the original team the right to match the other team’s offer. If the original team decides not to offer a matching bid, it does not receive compensation when the player leaves.”
Quarterback-needy teams will explore Darnold’s free agency if he hits the open market in March, potentially including clubs like the Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants. Those teams may be willing to oblige Darnold’s would-be asking price of $35-$45 million.
Darnold spoke with SiriusXM Radio last week, sounding like a player who will test free agency. “I’ve put a little bit of thought into it. I’m not going to share anything about, kind of, what I’ve been thinking or, obviously, the conversations I’ve had behind closed doors,” Darnold said.
“There’s obviously, a lot that’s going to happen still, even after the Super Bowl. So, I’m just going to continue to talk to my agent and figure things out from there.”
Ten days ago, the 27-year-old posted what felt like a sentimental goodbye note on Instagram. “Year 7 … So grateful for my teammates, coaches, and the entire organization. We created memories and relationships that will last a lifetime and we got to do it in front of the best fanbase in the world #SKOL,” Darnold wrote on January 31st.
If Fowler is right and the Vikings re-sign Darnold, McCarthy would encounter a watch-and-learn situation, somewhat similar to the Green Bay Packers’ style over the last 20 years.
There’s also the element of misdirection. Minnesota could be telling the open world that it wants to re-up with Darnold merely to drive up his trade value.
The Vikings will make a determination on Darnold within the next 35 days and perhaps well before that.
He’ll turn 28 this summer.
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.