Sam Darnold’s unexpected breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings has left the team with a difficult choice heading into free agency.
Thrust into the starting role after rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason, the seven-year veteran delivered a career-best campaign.
Depending on who you ask, Darnold either finally realized his long-awaited potential or simply capitalized on a strong supporting cast and Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system.
Now, with free agency beginning on March 12, the Vikings must decide whether to commit to Darnold, apply the franchise tag, or let him walk.
Between now and March 4, teams have the option to use the franchise tag to retain key players.
Tagging Darnold would keep him in Minnesota for another season without a long-term commitment, allowing the team to maintain flexibility as McCarthy continues his development.
However, according to ESPN, the Vikings may be better off using the tag elsewhere.
The cost of franchising a quarterback in 2025 is projected to exceed $40 million, while tagging a cornerback – a position of need for Minnesota – would come at roughly half the price.
If the Vikings choose not to tag him, Darnold would hit free agency, where his market remains uncertain.
Some teams may view his success as sustainable, while others could see it as a one-year anomaly.
Darnold’s 2024 campaign was, by far, the best of his career.
Under O’Connell’s guidance, he posted personal highs in passing yards (4,319), touchdowns (35), and completion percentage (66.2%).
Yet, when it mattered most, he struggled mightily.
In the final two games of the season – first with the division title and the NFC No. 1 seed on the line, then in his playoff debut – Darnold faltered.
Across those two games, he completed just 43 of 81 passes for 411 yards, with one touchdown and two turnovers. The Vikings lost both contests by a combined 40 points.
His late-season collapse has only added to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
While Darnold exceeded expectations, Minnesota’s long-term plan has always been centered around McCarthy.
The team selected him 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft with the intention of eventually making him the franchise quarterback.
Before suffering a meniscus injury, McCarthy was in legitimate contention to win the starting job last summer.
If the Vikings believe McCarthy is ready, they may opt to move on from Darnold rather than risk a costly quarterback dilemma.
According to ESPN, the Vikings are expected to prioritize keeping Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. over using the franchise tag on Darnold.
Murphy finished second in the NFL with six interceptions last season and would cost significantly less to retain under the tag.
While Darnold likely did enough to earn a starting job somewhere in 2025, the Vikings must now weigh the risks of investing in him versus sticking to their original plan with McCarthy.
USA Today’s Tyler Dragon believes that Darnold will end up finding his way back to New York – but this time with the Giants rather than the Jets.
“Is Darnold the quarterback who helped lead the Vikings to a 14-2 record through 17 weeks or the QB who withered down the stretch? It’s likely somewhere in the middle,” Dragon wrote.
“Darnold enjoyed career-highs in every significant statistical quarterback category this season, including yards, touchdowns and passer rating, but he regressed in Week 18 and during Minnesota’s wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He had a 55.5 passer rating in the regular-season finale and followed that performance up with an interception, a fumble and indecisive play in the postseason.
“In totality, Darnold’s 2024 season was much improved from what we’ve previously seen from the journeyman. The Vikings could re-sign Darnold, but will they really sit J.J. McCarthy another year?
“I believe Darnold should return to New York, but this time in a blue uniform.”
What are your thoughts on the Darnold situation?
There’s no doubt those final two games damaged his stock drastically. Prior to those games it was hard to envision Minnesota not retaining him.
Now, however, it feels like the vast majority of Vikings fans are ready to move on from Darnold.
When it’s all said and done, where do you think Sam will be taking his snaps next season???
