Some thought that the Minnesota Vikings could hold onto Sam Darnold through the start of the new league year on March 12 by using the franchise tag on the quarterback before the March 4 deadline for such decisions. The Vikings instead elected against doing so, and Darnold remains unsigned ahead of the free-agent negotiating window opening March 10.
During the latest edition of the "Fitz & Whit" podcast, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell indicated that Darnold will be permitted to speak with other clubs next week.
"He's earned the right to be a free agent," O'Connell said, as shared by Eva Geitheim of Sports Illustrated. "What I mean by that is, I never earned the right to be a free agent (as a player) — be somebody that multiple teams are vying for my services. That's a good thing. There are so many layers to it. How one move might affect another position. How Sam's decision might be about some things that are important to him, and vice versa with the organization."
The Vikings reportedly are confident that 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy will be good to go for the start of the 2025 season after he was sidelined for his entire rookie campaign due to the full meniscus repair he needed this past August. However, ESPN's Adam Schefter and The Athletic's Alec Lewis are among the reporters who mentioned on Tuesday that Minnesota could bring Darnold back via a short-term contract.
It was previously suggested that the Vikings may be willing to pay Darnold "somewhere in the $25M range" for the 2025 season. To compare, some think a quarterback-needy team such as the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans or Indianapolis Colts could offer him a deal worth more than $40M a year.
For a piece published on Wednesday morning, ESPN's Dan Graziano predicted that the Titans will sign Darnold to a three-year, $120M contract that includes $85M in guaranteed money.
"I want what's best for Sam," O'Connell added, "and I want what's best for the Minnesota Vikings to win games."
On paper, what's best for a Vikings team that went 14-3 with Darnold in the lineup is that he starts over McCarthy for another season. However, it seems likely that at least one club in need of a QB1 will outspend Minnesota to sign the 27-year-old once free agency officially begins.
