With 2025 NFL scouting around the corner, the NFL Free Agency is about to be forced into high gear.
The league's official legal tampering period will not begin until March 10th, but anyone who has made a trip to Indianapolis will be sufficient to ensure that the start of an unofficial, free agency will come during the combine. I know about it. , JW Marriott bar in Indianapolis.
One of the big names to watch this free agency cycle? Minnesota Viking Quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold has entered the Vikings' dream season, putting Minnesota on the NFC's top seed cusp.
Minnesota lost in week 18, and the following week in the wildcard round, Darnold's impressive season allowed him to line up on big paydays.
However, the Vikings are waiting for 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy on the wings, so it remains to be seen whether that will happen in Minnesota.
According to a new report from ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler, Vikings is “open” to Darnold's new contract, who played on a one-year contract this season.
However, the Vikings will not “mortgage” their future for his services.
“The Minnesota Vikings are said to be open to doing business with Sam Darnord,” Fowler began.
“The people I've talked about around the league believe that franchise tags aren't the most likely path in Minnesota… that's about $40 million. So, Minnesota's attitude is something else If you're getting another team and a major bank in the company, you're not going to mortgage Sam Darnold's future. Back. They loved having him.”
As Minnesota finally moves on from Darnold, they have options on the roster behind him. The Vikings signed Daniel Jones to practice team midway through the 2024 campaign, promoting him to an active roster for the playoffs. Then there's McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury.
According to Fowler, McCarthy is the future, but Jones is giving the team the options they have now.
“But what's revealed to me is that JJ McCarthy is a franchise quarterback at some point, so everyone this year is essentially a bridge quarterback,” continued Fowler.
“Daniel Jones might make sense. He's still said to be on the table as an option. He was in the building last year. He's a cheap alternative to Sam Darnold. It will be.”
There is no way the Vikings will make a decision about Darnold yet, but we will continue to update you as all the chatter comes out of Indianapolis next week.
