As the NFL offseason ramps up, the Minnesota Vikings are facing an important decision regarding quarterback Sam Darnold. With only one franchise tag available per team and other key players to consider, the Vikings appear unlikely to tag Darnold, allowing him to enter free agency and test the market. However, that doesn’t mean his time in Minnesota is necessarily over.
Why the Vikings Won’t Use the Franchise Tag on Darnold
The franchise tag for quarterbacks is a significant financial commitment, as it requires teams to pay a salary based on the average of the top five highest-paid quarterbacks in the league. For a player like Darnold, who has shown flashes of potential but hasn’t established himself as a long-term franchise quarterback, that price tag is simply too high.
Instead, the Vikings are expected to take a different approach—allowing Darnold to explore his options while keeping the door open for a potential return. The team’s strategy is likely to mirror what they did with Kirk Cousins in previous years: letting the player negotiate with other teams, but requesting to be informed before he agrees to any deal, giving Minnesota a chance to match.
Would a Transition Tag Make Sense?
An alternative option would be the transition tag, which comes with a lower financial cost than the franchise tag. The transition tag is based on the average of the top 10 salaries at a given position rather than the top five. If used, it would allow Darnold to negotiate with other teams, with the Vikings retaining the right to match any contract offer.
However, one major downside to this approach is that if Darnold signs elsewhere, Minnesota wouldn’t receive any compensatory draft picks in return. Given the team’s current priorities and financial flexibility, it seems unlikely they will use the transition tag, instead opting for a more open-ended approach.
Potential Landing Spots for Darnold
If Darnold does hit free agency, he could draw interest from several quarterback-needy teams. The Las Vegas Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers are among the potential suitors who could see Darnold as a short-term option or a backup with starting potential.
For the Vikings, the decision will ultimately come down to how they view their quarterback situation moving forward. If they are confident in JJ McCarthy or another young option, they may be content to let Darnold walk. However, if they want to keep a familiar face in the building, they may work to bring him back on a more team-friendly contract.
Final Thoughts
Barring an unexpected shift, the Vikings seem prepared to let Sam Darnold test the market without using the franchise or transition tag. While this gives him the opportunity to explore his value, it doesn’t necessarily mean his time in Minnesota is over. If the right offer doesn’t materialize elsewhere, the Vikings could still bring him back under favorable terms.
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining Darnold’s future, both in Minnesota and across the NFL.