Vikings Unlikely to Franchise Tag Sam Darnold, But Hope to Re-Sign Him

Vikings Unlikely to Use Franchise Tag on Sam Darnold, But Hope to Re-Sign Him

In the world of NFL contracts and player negotiations, the franchise tag is a tool that teams often use to retain key players while buying more time to negotiate a long-term deal. However, it seems that the Minnesota Vikings are taking a different approach with their quarterback, Sam Darnold. According to league sources who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Vikings are unlikely to place the franchise tag on Darnold ahead of the looming Tuesday 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Despite this decision, the Vikings are still keen on re-signing Darnold, albeit without the use of the franchise tag. This move might come as a surprise to some, considering Darnold’s impressive performance last season under the guidance of coach Kevin O’Connell. Darnold, at 27 years old, truly found his stride in the Vikings’ offensive scheme, leading the team to an impressive 14 wins. This was a significant improvement, given that he had only managed to secure 21 wins in his previous six seasons combined.

Statistically, Darnold had a standout season, ranking fifth in the NFL in both passing yards (4,319) and touchdown passes (35). His efforts did not go unnoticed, as he earned his first career Pro Bowl invitation. However, the season’s end was not as kind to Darnold. In his final two starts, he struggled significantly, throwing a combined 23 off-target passes and taking 11 sacks. These performances contributed to the Vikings’ losses against the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs, with a combined score of 58-18.

The Vikings initially signed Darnold in 2024 as a strategic move. He was meant to serve as a reliable option while the team groomed their quarterback of the future, J.J. McCarthy. Darnold’s role was to ensure that the team wouldn’t have to rush McCarthy into action before he was ready. However, Darnold’s strong performance in training camp, coupled with McCarthy’s unfortunate season-ending torn meniscus in his right knee during the preseason opener, positioned Darnold as the Vikings’ Week 1 starter.

For those who have followed Darnold’s career, his journey has been one of ups and downs. Drafted as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Darnold spent three seasons with the New York Jets, two with the Carolina Panthers, and one as a backup with the San Francisco 49ers before landing with the Vikings. His signing with Minnesota was widely viewed as his last chance to prove himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Over his seven NFL seasons, Darnold has accumulated 16,383 passing yards, 98 touchdowns, and 68 interceptions. These numbers reflect a career that has seen its fair share of challenges and triumphs.

• Sam Darnold’s Career Stats:
  • Passing Yards: 16,383
  • Touchdowns: 98
  • Interceptions: 68
• 2024 Season Highlights:
  • Passing Yards: 4,319 (5th in NFL)
  • Touchdown Passes: 35 (5th in NFL)
  • Pro Bowl Invitation: First of his career

As the deadline approaches, the Vikings’ decision not to use the franchise tag on Darnold opens up a myriad of possibilities. Will they manage to secure a new deal with him, or will Darnold explore opportunities elsewhere? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Vikings’ quarterback situation will be a storyline to watch closely in the coming weeks.