The Minnesota Vikings might have a new starting quarterback in 2025. Sam Darnold led the team to a 14-3 record last season, but he could be heading elsewhere for the upcoming season with the Vikings unlikely to use the franchise tag on him, according to NFL Media.
The decision by Minnesota means that there’s a good chance Darnold will officially become a free agent on March 12.
Darnold, 27, is coming off a career season with the Vikings that saw him rank fifth overall in passing yards (4,319) and touchdown passes (35), but he was on a one-year deal. The Vikings brought him in as a bridge quarterback after drafting J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But once McCarthy injured his knee during the preseason, Darnold was all but assured the starting role.
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The Vikings could have guaranteed Darnold’s return to Minnesota for the 2025 season by using the franchise tag, but that would have cost them $40.2 million, which is a high number considering the Vikings only paid Darnold $10 million in 2024.
According to multiple reports, the Vikings are going to attempt to re-sign Darnold, but if that does happen, the franchise tag won’t be involved. The NFL’s franchise tag deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, which means the Vikings have until then to make a final decision.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell hinted in early February that the team might end up letting Darnold hit free agency.
“He’s earned the right to be a free agent,” O’Connell said on Feb. 6. “But we will continue to have ongoing dialogue and discussions with him and his representation, as well as being really excited about J.J. McCarthy and where he’s at in his rehab.”
After strong start, Darnold struggled down the stretch
For most of the season, Darnold played like one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, but he faded down the stretch. In Minnesota’s final two games of the year, he led the offense to just 18 points while averaging just 205.5 passing yards with only one TD and an interception in losses to the Lions (31-9 to end the regular season) and Rams (27-9 in the playoffs).
Darnold’s stock quickly cooled after those two losses and the Vikings now seem completely open to the idea of moving on. If Darnold doesn’t return to Minnesota, that will likely set the stage for McCarthy to take his first career NFL snaps. McCarthy tore his meniscus in August, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 season.
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As for Darnold, it will be interesting to see if he’s willing to take any sort of discount to stay in Minnesota. Before signing with the Vikings, he had gone just 21-35 in his career since being drafted by the New York Jets with the third overall pick in 2018. But he had a career resurgence in Minnesota.
If Darnold does leave Minnesota, the Giants and Raiders will likely be the teams most interested him in adding him. You can read more about other teams that might be interested here.
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