In a surprising turn of events, the Minnesota Vikings emerged as one of the NFL’s top teams in 2024, largely due to Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell helping Sam Darnold, the former No. 3 overall pick, deliver a career-best season. However, Darnold, who will turn 28 in June, is set to become a free agent unless the Vikings decide to use the franchise tag on him. While tagging Darnold would secure their 14-game-winning quarterback for 2025, it would come at a steep cost of over $40 million—a move the team doesn’t appear to be leaning toward.
The Vikings made a bold move in the 2024 NFL Draft, trading up to select J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick. The former Michigan standout might have seen regular-season action had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. McCarthy’s absence solidified Darnold’s role as the starter, and he seized the opportunity, leading the team to a remarkable season. Now, with Darnold’s value at an all-time high, questions arise about whether the Vikings will take the bold step of moving on from him.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, the Vikings are more likely to let Darnold walk in free agency rather than franchise-tag him. Tagging Darnold would not only be costly but could also delay J.J. McCarthy’s eventual rise as the team’s starting quarterback. While the tag could potentially facilitate a trade, it would require confidence that multiple teams are willing to bid for Darnold. Instead, the Vikings seem inclined to use their franchise tag on cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who had a breakout 2024 season with a career-high six interceptions and is entering his prime at age 27. Tagging Murphy would allow the Vikings more time to negotiate a long-term deal while keeping him off the open market.
The Vikings find themselves in a unique position thanks to McCarthy’s presence. While they aren’t obligated to re-sign Darnold after his stellar season, letting him go still carries significant risk. However, when considering factors like the salary cap and the need to build a Super Bowl-contending roster, paying Darnold a hefty contract may not align with the team’s long-term plans. The Vikings must weigh their options carefully as they aim to balance immediate success with future growth.
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