The Minnesota Vikings are facing an important deadline this Tuesday at 3 p.m. regarding the potential franchise tag for quarterback Sam Darnold. The decision could either be a move to secure Darnold for the 2025 season or to set the stage for trading him, possibly for valuable draft picks in the weeks ahead.
The prospect of a tag-and-trade scenario is certainly appealing for the Vikings, as it could yield some intriguing options. However, this strategy isn’t without its complications. According to sources from the NFL combine in Indianapolis last week, one NFC executive expressed skepticism about the likelihood of tagging Darnold and then trading him. The executive pointed out that placing the franchise tag on Darnold would essentially grant him a no-trade clause. Any team interested in a trade would need to be reassured that Darnold was on board with signing a long-term deal. While it’s conceivable that the Vikings could bring him back on a more favorable contract, Darnold is widely recognized as the top quarterback on the free-agent market amidst a less-than-stellar draft class. This makes it seem more probable that he could find a long-term home elsewhere. If a tag-and-trade were to happen, it would be crucial for the Vikings to secure a deal before officially placing the tag on him.
In other developments, insights from recent discussions at the combine suggest that Daniel Jones might actually be a more likely candidate to start Week 1 for the Vikings than Darnold. This shift would hinge on the Vikings opting to provide J.J. McCarthy more time to develop before making him the starter. If they go this route, it would likely necessitate signing Jones to a new contract during free agency. However, if opportunities for Jones to start with another team are limited, he may find himself back in Minnesota on a one-year deal, similar to Darnold’s arrangement last season. This would give the Vikings more flexibility regarding their quarterback timeline, especially with McCarthy still being just 22 years old. It could also present Jones with a chance to revive his career before he begins searching for a long-term deal at age 28. Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently referred to Jones as “a great option for us.” The Vikings had already shown foresight by adding Jones to their practice squad in November, potentially keeping their future quarterback plans in view as they consider the dynamics between Darnold and McCarthy.
On the coaching front, reports have surfaced that head coach Kevin O’Connell’s new contract extends through 2029, which likely means the Vikings will soon pivot towards securing new deals for their coordinators. Both offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Flores have contracts that expire after the 2025 season and may be in for significant pay raises this spring, as O’Connell seeks to recognize their contributions. O’Connell’s contract extension aligns him with the timeline of Justin Jefferson’s contract expiration and McCarthy’s fifth-year option.
Finally, with assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski taking the role of offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Vikings have brought in Jordan Traylor, a former Saints assistant, to take over his responsibilities. Traylor’s arrival could prove beneficial, especially considering his potential to collaborate closely with McCarthy. This support comes alongside the guidance he’ll receive from O’Connell, Phillips, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. McCown, who recently interviewed for the Jets’ head coach position, is seen as a promising coaching prospect for the future. With Traylor stepping into this role, he might also have the opportunity to advance if McCown were to be offered a more significant position down the line.
As the Vikings navigate these decisions, the choices they make over the next few days could set the tone for their roster’s future and provide clarity on their quarterback situation moving into the new season.
