Vikings Decline Franchise Tag Option for Sam Darnold Despite Breakout Season

The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly decided against using their franchise tag on quarterback Sam Darnold, according to ESPN. With the franchise tag deadline now passed, Darnold is set to test the waters of free agency when the market officially opens on March 12, marking the start of the NFL's new league year.

While this move doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Darnold's time with the Vikings, it does leave the door wide open for other teams to swoop in. Reports suggest that the Vikings are still exploring the possibility of locking him in with a long-term deal, but nothing is set in stone.

The timing couldn’t be more intriguing. This year’s quarterback draft class is considered relatively weak compared to what’s expected in 2024, leaving teams hungry for experienced quarterbacks. You can almost hear the general managers scrambling to adjust their spreadsheets.

The franchise tag, often a team's safety net for keeping key players, comes with a hefty price tag—literally. For Darnold, the cost would have landed between $35 million and $41 million for 2025, depending on the type of tag. That’s not exactly pocket change, even for an NFL franchise.

Here’s the kicker: Darnold delivered a stellar regular season, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record under head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. But the postseason told a different story. The Los Angeles Rams handed the Vikings a crushing 27-9 defeat, sacking Darnold nine times and forcing an interception. The playoff flop clearly raised some eyebrows in the front office.

Adding to the complexity is the team’s investment in rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, drafted in the first round last year. McCarthy spent his first season on injured reserve due to a torn meniscus, but the Vikings are clearly eyeing his potential. The question is, how long are they willing to wait before handing him the reins?

Head coach Kevin O’Connell seems to be keeping the lines of communication open, saying last week at the NFL scouting combine, "I’ve had great dialogue with Sam from the time this season ended up until very recently, and I think my relationship with Sam has grown to a point where the respect level is sky-high. Sam is in a position where the NFL thinks he can play quarterback at a high level, so that’s a really good thing. And I feel very proud to be a part of helping him get to this point. We’ll see kind of where it goes from here." Translation: They like him, but they’re not ready to put a ring on it just yet.

If Darnold does sign elsewhere, the Vikings could be in line for a compensatory draft pick in 2026. So, while it’s a gamble to let him test free agency, it’s not entirely without a safety net. Time will tell if this decision pays off or if the Vikings end up second-guessing themselves.