One potential strategy for the Minnesota Vikings regarding quarterback Sam Darnold involves using the franchise tag. The franchise tag is a one-year, market-rate contract that teams can apply to retain control over a player, often when they are undecided about a long-term commitment or want to prevent the player from hitting free agency.
It can also be used to facilitate exclusive negotiations for a potential trade.
For the Vikings, a tag-and-trade scenario with Darnold could be advantageous, allowing them to receive compensation for helping him revive his career. However, as the franchise tag window approaches, it appears the Vikings are leaning toward a different use for the tag. According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert on February 17, the team seems more inclined to apply the franchise tag to Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. rather than Darnold. Murphy, who had a career-high six interceptions in 2024 and is entering his prime at age 27, is seen as a higher priority. Tagging Murphy would give the Vikings time to negotiate a long-term deal while keeping him off the open market.
Financially, tagging Murphy makes more sense for the Vikings. The franchise tag for a quarterback in 2025 is projected to cost around $40 million, while the tag for a cornerback would be approximately $20 million, according to Over The Cap. Tagging Darnold would consume nearly 75% of the Vikings’ available cap space, severely limiting their ability to address other needs, especially with over two dozen players eligible for free agency.
Murphy, coming off a standout season, is entering a competitive cornerback market. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranks him as the sixth-best cornerback available in free agency. The Vikings could potentially re-sign him to a long-term deal averaging around $17 million per year, which would be more cost-effective than the franchise tag. While the tag may not be the ideal solution for Murphy, his versatility to play both in the slot and outside makes him a valuable asset in Brian Flores’ defense, and the Vikings may be unwilling to risk losing him in free agency.
Meanwhile, the NFL Combine in Indianapolis could provide the Vikings with clarity on Darnold’s trade market. As a hub for behind-the-scenes discussions, the combine is where agents and teams often gauge interest in players. If Darnold’s agents discover significant interest in him as a free agent, the Vikings might reconsider the tag-and-trade option. However, for now, the focus seems to be on securing Murphy’s future with the team while carefully managing their cap space and roster needs.
Leave a Reply