The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in a familiar quarterback dilemma, much like last season with Kirk Cousins. Sam Darnold, who had a breakout season with 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and a Pro Bowl appearance, is now set to hit free agency. The Vikings may have interest in bringing him back on a short-term deal as J.J. McCarthy waits in the wings, but they will not use the franchise tag to keep him.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed as much in media appearances following his NFL Coach of the Year win, stating that the decision will ultimately be Darnold’s.
“Kevin O’Connell told us Sam Darnold has earned the right to be a free agent,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said on The Rich Eisen Show on February 12. “That’s a way of saying we’re not going to use the franchise tag because we don’t want to pay him $40 million.”
Florio added that while the Vikings would consider bringing Darnold back, they expect him to explore his options and only return if he’s willing to accept less than what he could earn elsewhere.
Darnold’s otherwise impressive season was somewhat overshadowed by a costly Week 18 loss to the Detroit Lions, which determined the NFC’s No. 1 seed, and a first-round playoff exit against the Los Angeles Rams. However, at just 27 years old, he is expected to attract plenty of interest in free agency.
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