What's next for Sam Darnold? |Flock
Sam Darnold struggled with the Minnesota Vikings with consecutive significant losses, including a season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Colin Cowherd discusses Darnold's future in the NFL.
The Minnesota Vikings have opted to use the franchise tag with quarterback Sam Darnold. ESPN reported. The NFL team had to decide until Tuesday to place franchise tags on players.
Darnold is eligible to explore the free agent market when it opens on March 12, the official start of the NFL's new league year. The move does not guarantee Darnold's departure, according to the report, as the Vikings expressed interest in potentially working towards a contract on long-term contracts.
Given that this year's quarterback draft market is seen as thinner than the 2024 class, there are a few teams likely to try and add experienced quarterbacks to their roster during free agency.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is about to play against the Atlanta Falcons at US Bank Stadium in the second quarter. (Matt Krohn/Imagn Images)
A franchise tag is a lever that allows teams to use each offseason to prevent them from leaving key players on expired contracts while purchasing time for further evaluation of long-term deals. However, that one-year arrangement is offered at a sudden fixed price based on the highest salary in the player's position.
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For Darnold, it would have been between $35 million and $41 million in 2025, depending on the type of tag.
Darnold led Minnesota to an impressive 14-3 record last season, but Vikings Brass is aiming for some spots on the roster for an upgrade. The team's front office used quarterback JJ McCarthy's first pick in last year's NFL Draft.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will pause on January 13, 2025, after a wildcard playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams in Glendale, Arizona before answering questions at a press conference. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Darnold gave a strong performance in his first season on the offensive by Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.
The Vikings are busy considering whether it's worth banking for the continued progression by Darnold in the second season under O'Connell, but McCarthy learns after spending his rookie year in an injured reserve while recovering from a meniscus that burst in his right knee.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and fullback CJ Ham (right) were played before the game against the Detroit Lions at US Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024. (Jeffrey Becker/Imagine image)
Darnold spent a breakout regular season, but his performance in the playoffs sparked concern. The Los Angeles Rams won a 27-9 postseason match against the Vikings. Darnold was fired nine times and threw an intercept in the game.
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If Darnold signs elsewhere this year, the Vikings will line up for the 2026 compensation draft pick.
“I've had great conversations with Sam from this season until very recently. I think my relationship with Sam has grown to the level of respect that has risen,” O'Connell said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “Sam is in a position to think the NFL can play quarterbacks at a high level, so that's really good, and I'm extremely proud to help him get to this point.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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